--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We have already compared the benefits of…" description: "\"“We have already compared the benefits of theology and science. When the theologian governed the world, it was covered with huts and hovels for the man..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/547/robert-g-ingersoll-4527_benefits_we-have-already-compared-the-benefits-of_1334955.jpg" --- # We have already compared the benefits of theology and… ![“We have already compared the benefits of theology and science. When the theologian governed the world, it was covered with huts and hovels for the many, palaces and cathedrals for the few. To nearly all the children of men, reading and writing were unknown arts. The poor were clad in rags and…” quote by Robert G. Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/547/robert-g-ingersoll-4527_benefits_we-have-already-compared-the-benefits-of_1334955.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/547/robert-g-ingersoll-4527_benefits_we-have-already-compared-the-benefits-of_1334955.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/547/robert-g-ingersoll-4527_benefits_we-have-already-compared-the-benefits-of_1334955.jpg) > ““We have already compared the benefits of theology and science. When the theologian governed the world, it was covered with huts and hovels for the many, palaces and cathedrals for the few. To nearly all the children of men, reading and writing were unknown arts. The poor were clad in rags and skins -- they devoured crusts, and gnawed bones. The day of Science dawned, and the luxuries of a century ago are the necessities of to-day. Men in the middle ranks of life have more of the conveniences and elegancies than the princes and kings of the theological times. But above and over all this, is the development of mind. There is more of value in the brain of an average man of to-day -- of a master-mechanic, of a chemist, of a naturalist, of an inventor, than there was in the brain of the world four hundred years ago. These blessings did not fall from the skies. These benefits did not drop from the outstretched hands of priests. They were not found in cathedrals or behind altars -- neither were they searched for with holy candles. They were not discovered by the closed eyes of prayer, nor did they come in answer to superstitious supplication. They are the children of freedom, the gifts of reason, observation and experience -- and for them all, man is indebted to man.”” [Robert G. Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-g-ingersoll/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Science empowers humanity by providing practical tools and knowledge, surpassing the limited benefits of religious rule. **In simple terms:** Science improves life more than religion. Key Takeaway Value reason and evidence over tradition. Themes progress reason science humanism Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - education reform - technological development - public policy - personal growth Key Concepts empiricism freedom innovation Questions to Reflect On - What freedoms enable scientific advancement? - How do we balance scientific progress with ethical concerns? A Different Perspective Science alone cannot solve moral dilemmas. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Blessings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blessings/) [Reading and writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reading-and-writing/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Theology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theology/) ## Related quotes > [I firmly believe that the method which sets theological theories against scientifically ascertained facts, is fatal to the current theology and injurious to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyman-abbott/i-firmly-believe-that-the-method-which-sets-theological-theories/) [Lyman Abbott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyman-abbott/) > [...foreign policy is a matter of costs and benefits, not theology.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fareed-zakaria/foreign-policy-is-a-matter-of-costs-and-benefits-not-theology/) [Fareed Zakaria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fareed-zakaria/) > [“Philosophy, as I shall understand the word, is something intermediate between theology and science.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/philosophy-as-i-shall-understand-the-word-is-something-intermediate-2/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [Theology is a science of mind applied to God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/theology-is-a-science-of-mind-applied-to-god/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [For this knowledge of right living, we have sought a new name... . As theology is the science of religious life, and biology the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-swallow-richards/for-this-knowledge-of-right-living-we-have-sought-a-new-name-as/) [Ellen Swallow Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-swallow-richards/) > [Science may be weird and incomprehensible--more weird and less comprehensible than any theology--but science works. It gets results. It can fly you to Saturn,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/science-may-be-weird-and-incomprehensible-more-weird-and-less/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [All definite knowledge - so I should contend - belongs to science; all dogma as to what surpasses definite knowledge belongs to theology. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/all-definite-knowledge-so-i-should-contend-belongs-to-science-all/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [“theology, the doctrine of God, which is always attacked and ridiculed by philosophy, which claims to be wisdom itself. And medicine, which always questions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-strindberg/theology-the-doctrine-of-god-which-is-always-attacked-and-ridiculed/) [August Strindberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-strindberg/) > [“Philosophy, as I shall understand the word, is something intermediate between theology and science. Like theology, it consists of speculations on matters as to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/philosophy-as-i-shall-understand-the-word-is-something-intermediate/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [Theology is but a science of applied to God. As schools change theology must necessarily change. Truth is everlasting, but our ideas of truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/theology-is-but-a-science-of-applied-to-god-as-schools-change/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [Theology is the science of the divine lie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bakunin/theology-is-the-science-of-the-divine-lie/) [Mikhail Bakunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bakunin/) > [“I flip a cognitive coin while reading Dr. Briggs' take on life, theology, science, and the conception of human life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asa-don-brown/i-flip-a-cognitive-coin-while-reading-dr-briggs-take-on-life-theology/) [Asa Don Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asa-don-brown/) > [“The great bulk of the legal voters of the South were men who owned no slaves; their homes were generally in the hills and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/the-great-bulk-of-the-legal-voters-of-the-south-were-men-who-owned-no/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [“Whatand why were never questions for me. How was the only question. When I look back now, I realize that I never thought about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadhguru/whatand-why-were-never-questions-for-me-how-was-the-only-question/) [Sadhguru](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadhguru/) > [“We are in the middle of the biggest revolution in reading and writing since the advent of the Gutenberg press.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-sheridan/we-are-in-the-middle-of-the-biggest-revolution-in-reading-and-writing/) [Sara Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-sheridan/) ## More by Robert G. Ingersoll > [“So, I think that when we become civilized, great corporations will make provision for men who have given their lives to their service. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-g-ingersoll/so-i-think-that-when-we-become-civilized-great-corporations-will-make/) [Robert G. 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Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-g-ingersoll/) > [“From my childhood I had heard read, and read the Bible myself. Morning and evening the sacred volume was opened and prayers were said.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-g-ingersoll/from-my-childhood-i-had-heard-read-and-read-the-bible-myself-morning/) [Robert G. Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-g-ingersoll/) > [“Suppose after all that death does end all. Next to eternal joy, next to being forever with those we love and those who have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-g-ingersoll/suppose-after-all-that-death-does-end-all-next-to-eternal-joy-next-to/) [Robert G. 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There should be no political liberty. Heresy should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-g-ingersoll/if-the-pentateuch-is-inspired-the-civilization-of-of-our-day-is-a/) [Robert G. Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-g-ingersoll/) [Explore all 109 Robert G. Ingersoll quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-g-ingersoll/) ## More Benefits quotes > [If the members of parliament no longer consider themselves mandatories of the taxpayers but deputies of those receiving salaries, wages, subsidies, doles, and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/if-the-members-of-parliament-no-longer-consider-themselves/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [ \[The Dalai Lama\] told me some years ago, "I've made every concession to China, and I've been as open and tolerant as I could,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pico-iyer/the-dalai-lama-told-me-some-years-ago-i-ve-made-every-concession-to/) [Pico Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pico-iyer/) > [Anger is a rough water; if you can canalize it into a water mill, you can benefit from it. Anything bad can be transformed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/anger-is-a-rough-water-if-you-can-canalize-it-into-a-water-mill-you/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Shortly after I turned 50, both Ted Turner and the AARP came into my life. The only difference? With AARP, there were benefits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-fonda/shortly-after-i-turned-50-both-ted-turner-and-the-aarp-came-into-my/) [Jane Fonda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-fonda/) > [That old man dies prematurely whose memory records no benefits conferred. They only have lived long who have lived virtuously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-brinsley-sheridan/that-old-man-dies-prematurely-whose-memory-records-no-benefits/) [Richard Brinsley Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-brinsley-sheridan/) > [Politics is about power. It is about the power of the state. It is about the power of the state as applied to individuals,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-rudd/politics-is-about-power-it-is-about-the-power-of-the-state-it-is/) [Kevin Rudd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-rudd/) > [Therefore, I see whatever exists as good, death is to me like life, sin like holiness, wisdom like foolishness, everything has to be as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/therefore-i-see-whatever-exists-as-good-death-is-to-me-like-life-sin/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Trust is about keeping commitments, but in many instances, circumstances change and organizations therefore shed commitments, things such as retiree medical benefits, pension obligations,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/trust-is-about-keeping-commitments-but-in-many-instances/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [Neither novels or their readers benefit from any attempts to divine whether any facts hide inside a story. 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That issue related to my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pauline-hanson/i-won-the-seat-of-oxley-largely-on-an-issue-that-has-resulted-in-me/) [Pauline Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pauline-hanson/) > [Intelligence is a separate gift, for the benefit of students, so that they may think of themselves as intellectual and not very intelligent, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/intelligence-is-a-separate-gift-for-the-benefit-of-students-so-that/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [I've always said that I benefit, as an actor, from not having the illusion of security.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-sparks/i-ve-always-said-that-i-benefit-as-an-actor-from-not-having-the/) [Hal Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-sparks/) > [Benefits received are a delight to us as long as we think we can requite them; when that possibility is far exceeded, they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/benefits-received-are-a-delight-to-us-as-long-as-we-think-we-can/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) Browse all 3,616 Benefits quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“We have already compared the benefits of theology and science. When the theologian governed the world, it was covered with huts and hovels for the many, palaces and cathedrals for the few. To nearly all the children of men, reading and writing were unknown arts. The poor were clad in rags and skins -- they devoured crusts, and gnawed bones. The day of Science dawned, and the luxuries of a century ago are the necessities of to-day. Men in the middle ranks of life have more of the conveniences and elegancies than the princes and kings of the theological times. But above and over all this, is the development of mind. There is more of value in the brain of an average man of to-day -- of a master-mechanic, of a chemist, of a naturalist, of an inventor, than there was in the brain of the world four hundred years ago. These blessings did not fall from the skies. These benefits did not drop from the outstretched hands of priests. They were not found in cathedrals or behind altars -- neither were they searched for with holy candles. 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