Years ago Quote by Mark Twain
““That was thirteen hundred years ago. This is really no improvement upon the work of the Roman augurs. Has the trade of interpreting the Lord’s matters gone out, discouraged by the time-worn fact that nobody succeeds at it? No, it still flourishes; there was never a century nor a country that was short of experts who knew the Deity’s mind and were willing to reveal it. Whenever there has been an opportunity to attribute to Him reasonings and conduct which would make a half-witted human being ridiculous, there has always been an expert ready and glad to take advantage of it.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Age of Superstition, 1905
Human beings continually create experts to interpret divine will, using complex reasoning to justify beliefs, even when such expertise is questionable.
In simple terms: People make experts to explain the divine.
Key Takeaway
Question authority, seek evidence.
Themes
faith
expertise
skepticism
interpretation
authority
Mood
skeptical
critical
inquisitive
Type
essay
analysis
philosophical
When to use this quote
- religious debate
- political rhetoric
- scientific claims
- media analysis
Key Concepts
theology
critical thinking
social influence
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we trust experts?
- How can we discern genuine insight?
A Different Perspective
The quote may overgeneralize all experts as manipulative.
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