Defined Quote by Richard Whately
“Superstition is not, as has been defined, an excess of religious feeling, but a misdirection of it, an exhausting of it on vanities of man's devising.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Nature of Superstition” (1825)
Superstition misdirects religious feeling toward vanity, draining its true purpose.
In simple terms: Superstition diverts faith.
Key Takeaway
Focus on genuine belief.
Themes
faith
vanity
misdirection
Mood
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
philosophical
theological
When to use this quote
- personal spirituality
- cultural critique
- education
Key Concepts
theology
philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does misdirection affect faith?
- Can superstition be productive?
A Different Perspective
Some view superstition as harmless.
![“The self is defined psychologically as the psychic totality of the individual. Anything that a [person] postulates as being a greater totality than [oneself] can become a symbol of the self. For this reason the symbol of the self is not always as total as the definition would require.” quote by Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/251/carl-jung-274_defined_the-self-is-defined-psychologically-as-t_7148.jpg)
