---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Provided the gods of Rome are given their…"
description: "\"“Provided the gods of Rome are given their due, it doesn't really matter to them whether their worshippers believe in them or not. Having taken part in..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ee/philip-matyszak-143478_deep-love_provided-the-gods-of-rome-are-given-thei_442558.jpg"
---

#  Provided the gods of Rome are given their due, it doesn't…

![“Provided the gods of Rome are given their due, it doesn't really matter to them whether their worshippers believe in them or not. Having taken part in the official rituals, a citizen is free to worship whatever other deities he pleases. Rom'es gods are there to be obeyed and respected, not loved…” quote by Philip Matyszak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ee/philip-matyszak-143478_deep-love_provided-the-gods-of-rome-are-given-thei_442558.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ee/philip-matyszak-143478_deep-love_provided-the-gods-of-rome-are-given-thei_442558.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ee/philip-matyszak-143478_deep-love_provided-the-gods-of-rome-are-given-thei_442558.jpg)

> ““Provided the gods of Rome are given their due, it doesn't really matter to them whether their worshippers believe in them or not. Having taken part in the official rituals, a citizen is free to worship whatever other deities he pleases. Rom'es gods are there to be obeyed and respected, not loved, and they no more mind sacrifices to other deities than the taxman minds people paying other dues elsewhere. Dealing with the gods is an exchange of duties and mutual respect. Confessing a deep love for a particular god is superstitio and the person concerned is probably emotionally concerned.””

Philip Matyszak

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Describes Roman religious practice as transactional, emphasizing duty over love, and cautioning against superstitious devotion.

**In simple terms:** Roman worship was duty‑based, not loving.

Key Takeaway

Respect religious duties.

Themes

history religion cultural norms

Mood

analytical historical

Type

Deep love:0 History:1 Mutual respect:1 Polytheism:1 Religion:1 Rome:1 Worship Deities:0 Deities Taxman:0 Provided Gods:0 Deities Pleases:0 Sacrifices Deities:0

When to use this quote

- academic study
- cultural tourism
- interfaith dialogue

Key Concepts

Roman law polytheism social contracts

Questions to Reflect On

- How does duty shape your spiritual practice?
- What separates respect from devotion?

A Different Perspective

Modern faith may differ from Roman view.

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[Deep love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deep-love/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Mutual respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mutual-respect/) [Polytheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/polytheism/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Rome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rome/)

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