--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is thus that the generality of…" description: "\"It is thus that the generality of mankind, whose lot is ignorance, attributes to the Divinity, not only the unusual effects which strike them, but more..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b6/percy-bysshe-shelley-476_able_it-is-thus-that-the-generality-of-mankin_2810573.jpg" --- # It is thus that the generality of mankind, whose lot is… ![“It is thus that the generality of mankind, whose lot is ignorance, attributes to the Divinity, not only the unusual effects which strike them, but moreover the most simple events, of which the causes are the most simple to understand by whomever is able to study them. In a word, man has always…” quote by Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b6/percy-bysshe-shelley-476_able_it-is-thus-that-the-generality-of-mankin_2810573.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b6/percy-bysshe-shelley-476_able_it-is-thus-that-the-generality-of-mankin_2810573.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b6/percy-bysshe-shelley-476_able_it-is-thus-that-the-generality-of-mankin_2810573.jpg) > “It is thus that the generality of mankind, whose lot is ignorance, attributes to the Divinity, not only the unusual effects which strike them, but moreover the most simple events, of which the causes are the most simple to understand by whomever is able to study them. In a word, man has always respected unknown causes, surprising effects that his ignorance kept him from unraveling. It was on this debris of nature that man raised the imaginary colossus of the Divinity.” [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People attribute unknown causes to divinity, creating myths to explain simple events. **In simple terms:** We mythologize unknown causes. Key Takeaway Seek rational explanations. Themes mythmaking ignorance divinity Mood reflective analytical Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - scientific inquiry - education - critical thinking Key Concepts philosophy science history Questions to Reflect On - How do myths shape societies? - Can rationality replace belief? A Different Perspective Myths can provide comfort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Able](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/able/) [Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) [Attributes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attributes/) [Causes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/causes/) [Colossus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/colossus/) [Debris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/debris/) [Divinity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/divinity/) [Effects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effects/) [Effects Ignorance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effects-ignorance-3517021/) [Events](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/events/) [Generalities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generalities/) [Generality Mankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generality-mankind-1874159/) [Ignorance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorance/) [Ignorance Kept](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorance-kept-1655894/) [Imaginary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imaginary/) [Mankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mankind/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) [Positive atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive-atheism/) [Raised](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/raised/) [Simple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/simple/) [Strikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strikes/) [Study](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/study/) [Surprising](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surprising/) [Unknown Causes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unknown-causes-3517022/) [Unraveling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unraveling/) [Unusual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unusual/) ## Related quotes > [Promises made out of ignorance should not be kept.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/promises-made-out-of-ignorance-should-not-be-kept/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [We meet With few utterly dull and stupid souls: the sublime and transcendent are still fewer; the generality of mankind stand between these two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/we-meet-with-few-utterly-dull-and-stupid-souls-the-sublime-and/) [Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) > [It is certain that the easy and obvious philosophy will always, with the generality of mankind, have preference above the accurate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hume/it-is-certain-that-the-easy-and-obvious-philosophy-will-always-with/) [David Hume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hume/) > [It is good sense applied with diligence to what was at first a mere accident, and which by great application grew to be called,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/it-is-good-sense-applied-with-diligence-to-what-was-at-first-a-mere/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“It was badly received by the generation to which it was first addressed, and the outpouring of angry nonsense to which it gave rise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-henry-huxley/it-was-badly-received-by-the-generation-to-which-it-was-first/) [Thomas Henry Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-henry-huxley/) > [The generality of mankind is lazy. 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Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [Eloquence, when at its highest pitch, leaves little room for reason or reflection; but addressing itself entirely to the fancy or the affections, captivates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/eloquence-when-at-its-highest-pitch-leaves-little-room-for-reason-or/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think there is a blossom about me of something more distinguished than the generality of mankind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-boswell/i-think-there-is-a-blossom-about-me-of-something-more-distinguished/) [James Boswell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-boswell/) > [“Her mother leaned in. “She calls him ‘Colossus.’Now what do you think that is for?” “I’m sure she’s fine—” “Not if she is with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-clare/her-mother-leaned-in-she-calls-him-colossus-now-what-do-you-think/) [Jessica Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-clare/) > [Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-lazarus/not-like-the-brazen-giant-of-greek-fame-with-conquering-limbs-astride/) [Emma Lazarus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-lazarus/) > [Now the long-feared Asiatic colossus takes its turn as world leader, and we--the white race--have become the yellow man's burden.Let us hope that he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/now-the-long-feared-asiatic-colossus-takes-its-turn-as-world-leader/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [Resolve to serve no more, and you are at once freed. I do not ask that you place hands upon the tyrant to topple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/etienne-de-la-boetie/resolve-to-serve-no-more-and-you-are-at-once-freed-i-do-not-ask-that/) [Etienne de La Boetie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/etienne-de-la-boetie/) > [I really like 'ICO' and 'Shadow of the Colossus.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-really-like-ico-and-shadow-of-the-colossus/) [Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/) > [“Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world Like a Colossus; and we petty men Walk under his huge legs, and peep about To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/why-man-he-doth-bestride-the-narrow-world-like-a-colossus-and-we/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Blackbeard was larger than life. He was 6'4" in 1710. He was a colossus, and like a rock star walking into a bar. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-stevenson/blackbeard-was-larger-than-life-he-was-6-4-in-1710-he-was-a-colossus/) [Ray Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-stevenson/) ## More by Percy Bysshe Shelley > [The everlasting universe of things Flows through the mind, and rolls its rapid waves, Now dark--now glittering--now reflecting gloom-- Now lending splendour, where from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/the-everlasting-universe-of-things-flows-through-the-mind-and-rolls/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [The quick Dreams, The passion-winged Ministers of thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/the-quick-dreams-the-passion-winged-ministers-of-thought/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [Hail to thee, blithe Spirit!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/hail-to-thee-blithe-spirit/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [The jealous keys of truth's eternal doors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/the-jealous-keys-of-truth-s-eternal-doors/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [“Though we eat little flesh and drink no wine, Yet let's be merry; we'll have tea and toast; Custards for supper, and an endless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/though-we-eat-little-flesh-and-drink-no-wine-yet-let-s-be-merry-we-ll/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [A dream has power to poison sleep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/a-dream-has-power-to-poison-sleep/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [Titles are tinsel, power a corrupter, glorya bubble, and excessive wealth a libel on its possessor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/titles-are-tinsel-power-a-corrupter-glorya-bubble-and-excessive/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [“I fall upon the thorns of life! I bleed !”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/i-fall-upon-the-thorns-of-life-i-bleed/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [“Poets and philosophers are the unacknowledged legislators of the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/poets-and-philosophers-are-the-unacknowledged-legislators-of-the-world/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [Dar'st thou amid the varied multitude To live alone, an isolated thing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/dar-st-thou-amid-the-varied-multitude-to-live-alone-an-isolated-thing/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [Spirit of BEAUTY, that dost consecrate With thine own hues all thou dost shine upon Of human thought or form, where art thou gone?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/spirit-of-beauty-that-dost-consecrate-with-thine-own-hues-all-thou/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [I love tranquil solitude, And such society As is quiet, wise, and good; Between thee and me What difference? but thou dost possess The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/i-love-tranquil-solitude-and-such-society-as-is-quiet-wise-and-good/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [The practice of utter sincerity towards other men would avail to no good end, if they were incapable of practising it towards their own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/the-practice-of-utter-sincerity-towards-other-men-would-avail-to-no/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [Thou shoreless flood, which in thy ebb and flow claspest the limits of mortality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/thou-shoreless-flood-which-in-thy-ebb-and-flow-claspest-the-limits-of/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [Senseless is the breast and cold Which relenting love would fold; Bloodless are the veins and chill Which the pulse of pain did fill;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/senseless-is-the-breast-and-cold-which-relenting-love-would-fold/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) [Explore all 533 Percy Bysshe Shelley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) ## More Able quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. 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