--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Art and religion first; then philosophy…" description: "\"Art and religion first; then philosophy; lastly science. That is the order of the great subjects of life, that's their order of importance.\" — Muriel S..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44a/muriel-spark-4228_art_art-and-religion-first-then-philosophy-l_3005191.jpg" --- # Art and religion first; then philosophy; lastly science… ![“Art and religion first; then philosophy; lastly science. That is the order of the great subjects of life, that's their order of importance.” quote by Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44a/muriel-spark-4228_art_art-and-religion-first-then-philosophy-l_3005191.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44a/muriel-spark-4228_art_art-and-religion-first-then-philosophy-l_3005191.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44a/muriel-spark-4228_art_art-and-religion-first-then-philosophy-l_3005191.jpg) > “Art and religion first; then philosophy; lastly science. That is the order of the great subjects of life, that's their order of importance.” [Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote orders the hierarchy of disciplines: art and religion first, then philosophy, and finally science, implying a progression of human inquiry. **In simple terms:** Art and religion precede philosophy, which precedes science. Key Takeaway Recognize the foundational role of art and faith. Themes knowledge hierarchy culture progress Mood analytical thought‑provoking Type academic reflective When to use this quote - education curriculum - cultural analysis - intellectual history - personal worldview Key Concepts philosophy history ofscience studies Questions to Reflect On - Why place art before science? - How does this order affect learning? A Different Perspective Modern perspectives may reorder this hierarchy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Great Subjects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-subjects-599172/) [Importance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/importance/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-order-277112/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Order Importance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order-importance-747317/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Philosophy Lastly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-lastly-4790783/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Science Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science-order-4790782/) [Subjects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/subjects/) ## Related quotes > [Don't ever insult yourself in order to give importance to someone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shubhanshu-tiwari/don-t-ever-insult-yourself-in-order-to-give-importance-to-someone-else/) [Shubhanshu Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shubhanshu-tiwari/) > [In order of importance to me are: 1) the long term trend, 2) the current chart pattern, and 3)picking a good spot to buy or sell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-seykota/in-order-of-importance-to-me-are-1-the-long-term-trend-2-the-current/) [Ed Seykota](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-seykota/) > [“In order of importance: 1. 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It is a romatic trade, it does not pollute excessively, it has all sorts of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-mccall-smith/tea-for-me-is-one-of-the-great-subjects-it-is-a-romatic-trade-it-does/) [Alexander McCall Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-mccall-smith/) > [I'm afraid the negative things are always the great subjects. Failure is much more interesting than success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-amis/i-m-afraid-the-negative-things-are-always-the-great-subjects-failure/) [Martin Amis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-amis/) > [I am against great themes and great subjects... You can't film an idea. 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Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyd-k-packer/) > [Chaos often breeds life, when order breeds habit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-adams/chaos-often-breeds-life-when-order-breeds-habit/) [Henry Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-adams/) ## More by Muriel Spark > [Contradictions in human character are one of its most consistent notes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-spark/contradictions-in-human-character-are-one-of-its-most-consistent-notes/) [Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/) > [“They are demanding equal rights with us,’ says Mrs. Fiedke. ‘That’s why I never vote with the Liberals. Perfume, jewellery, hair down to their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-spark/they-are-demanding-equal-rights-with-us-says-mrs-fiedke-that-s-why-i/) [Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/) > [Allow me, in conclusion, to congratulate you warmly upon your sexual intercourse, as well as your singing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-spark/allow-me-in-conclusion-to-congratulate-you-warmly-upon-your-sexual/) [Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/) > [I see no reason to keep silent about my enjoyment of the sound of my own voice as I work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-spark/i-see-no-reason-to-keep-silent-about-my-enjoyment-of-the-sound-of-my/) [Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/) > [It is well, when in difficulties, to say never a word, neither black nor white. 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You little girls, when you grow up, must be on the alert to recognize your prime at whatever time of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-spark/one-s-prime-is-elusive-you-little-girls-when-you-grow-up-must-be-on/) [Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/) > [“It's only possible to betray where loyalty is due”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-spark/it-s-only-possible-to-betray-where-loyalty-is-due/) [Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/) > [“The sparkle and morning-freshness of the shop, and the butter-conjuring girl, formed a mind-picture which accompanied the whole of my youth.(about the Buttercup Dairy)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-spark/the-sparkle-and-morning-freshness-of-the-shop-and-the-butter/) [Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/) > [There was altogether too much candor in married life; it was an indelicate modern idea, and frequently led to upsets in a household, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-spark/there-was-altogether-too-much-candor-in-married-life-it-was-an/) [Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/) > [Jealousy ... is an affliction of the spirit which, unlike some sins of the flesh, gives no one any pleasure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-spark/jealousy-is-an-affliction-of-the-spirit-which-unlike-some-sins-of-the/) [Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/) > [it never really occurred to her that literary men, if they like women at all, do not want literary women but girls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-spark/it-never-really-occurred-to-her-that-literary-men-if-they-like-women/) [Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/) > [“The word 'education' comes from the root e from ex, out, and duco, I lead. It means a leading out. To me education is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-spark/the-word-education-comes-from-the-root-e-from-ex-out-and-duco-i-lead/) [Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/) > [“- 'Poise is perfect balance, an equanimity of body and mind, complete composure whatever the social scene. Elegant dress, immaculate grooming, and perfect deportment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-spark/poise-is-perfect-balance-an-equanimity-of-body-and-mind-complete/) [Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/) > [These years are still the years of my prime. It is important to recognise the years of one's prime, always remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-spark/these-years-are-still-the-years-of-my-prime-it-is-important-to/) [Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/) [Explore all 114 Muriel Spark quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) [Taf Teh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taf-teh/) > [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. 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