--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Religion is the great balm of existence…" description: "\"Religion is the great balm of existence because it takes us outside ourselves, connects us to something larger\" — Robert Greene" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3e/robert-greene-498_existence_religion-is-the-great-balm-of-existence_2925432.png" --- # Religion is the great balm of existence because it takes… ![“Religion is the great balm of existence because it takes us outside ourselves, connects us to something larger” quote by Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3e/robert-greene-498_existence_religion-is-the-great-balm-of-existence_2925432.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3e/robert-greene-498_existence_religion-is-the-great-balm-of-existence_2925432.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3e/robert-greene-498_existence_religion-is-the-great-balm-of-existence_2925432.png) > “Religion is the great balm of existence because it takes us outside ourselves, connects us to something larger” [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Religion offers comfort by shifting focus beyond self to a larger purpose, providing existential relief. **In simple terms:** Faith eases life by connecting us to something bigger. Key Takeaway Seek meaning beyond self. Themes spirituality comfort purpose Mood reflective calming Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal crisis - grief - search for meaning Key Concepts existentialism transcendence Questions to Reflect On - How does belief shape your daily actions? - What larger purpose guides you? A Different Perspective May not address practical problems. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) ## Related quotes > [“Existence takes priority over essence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jostein-gaarder/existence-takes-priority-over-essence/) [Jostein Gaarder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jostein-gaarder/) > [Every time a value is born, existence takes on a new meaning; every time one dies, some part of that meaning passes away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-wood-krutch/every-time-a-value-is-born-existence-takes-on-a-new-meaning-every/) [Joseph Wood Krutch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-wood-krutch/) > [“For rulers, religion is a great tool to rule the common people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debasish-mridha/for-rulers-religion-is-a-great-tool-to-rule-the-common-people/) [Debasish Mridha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debasish-mridha/) > [The religion itself may have some great ideas, but I can't take it seriously if it's blatantly exclusionary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-o-russell/the-religion-itself-may-have-some-great-ideas-but-i-can-t-take-it/) [David O. Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-o-russell/) > [Organized religion a great disappointment. I don't recall Jesus asking for donations or charging a fee when teaching Spirituality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wandini/organized-religion-a-great-disappointment-i-don-t-recall-jesus-asking/) [Wandini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wandini/) > [“We call our religion the Great Romance, but really it feels more like a list of rules than anything similar to the Great Romance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-dekker/we-call-our-religion-the-great-romance-but-really-it-feels-more-like/) [Ted Dekker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-dekker/) > [“He (Abraham Lincoln) is one of the few men in history, our own history and all history, whose religion was great enough to bridge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-sperry/he-abraham-lincoln-is-one-of-the-few-men-in-history-our-own-history/) Dean sperry > [“This religion so great in miracles, in men holy, pure and irreproachable, in scholars, great witnesses and martyrs, established kings - David - Isaiah,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/this-religion-so-great-in-miracles-in-men-holy-pure-and/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [Religion is so great a thing that it is right that those who will not take the trouble to seek it if it be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/religion-is-so-great-a-thing-that-it-is-right-that-those-who-will-not/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [In the name of religion many great and fine deeds have been performed. In the name of religion also, thousands and millions have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jawaharlal-nehru/in-the-name-of-religion-many-great-and-fine-deeds-have-been-performed/) [Jawaharlal Nehru](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jawaharlal-nehru/) > [“Yet, in fact, religion has been the third great unifier of humankind, alongside money and empires.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yuval-noah-harari/yet-in-fact-religion-has-been-the-third-great-unifier-of-humankind/) [Yuval Noah Harari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuval-noah-harari/) > [But the context of religion is a great background for doing science. In the words of Psalm 19, 'The heavens declare the glory of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-leonard-schawlow/but-the-context-of-religion-is-a-great-background-for-doing-science/) [Arthur Leonard Schawlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-leonard-schawlow/) > [“The development from a religion of fear to moral religion is a great step in peoples' lives.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-development-from-a-religion-of-fear-to-moral-religion-is-a-great/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Religion is a great force - the only real motive force in the world; but what you fellows don't understand is that you must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/religion-is-a-great-force-the-only-real-motive-force-in-the-world-but/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) > [Religion is one of the most important forces in the world. Whether you are a Christian, a Muslim, a Buddhist, a Jew, or a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-mandela/religion-is-one-of-the-most-important-forces-in-the-world-whether-you/) [Nelson Mandela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-mandela/) ## More by Robert Greene > [The whole concept of stage fright is fascinating. Actors get stage fright, but they wouldn't be on the stage in the first place if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/the-whole-concept-of-stage-fright-is-fascinating-actors-get-stage/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [I'm afraid I'm just too intense to have soft ideas, you know, about what to read when you're trying to pass the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/i-m-afraid-i-m-just-too-intense-to-have-soft-ideas-you-know-about/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [You are facing death and danger and competition, but at any moment, you can decide to have a fearless mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/you-are-facing-death-and-danger-and-competition-but-at-any-moment-you/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [Let me spell it out: with the psychotic boss, nothing you do is ever quite right. They set traps, asking you to do things,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/let-me-spell-it-out-with-the-psychotic-boss-nothing-you-do-is-ever/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [Evil or manipulative people don't need a book, they just do it anyway.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/evil-or-manipulative-people-don-t-need-a-book-they-just-do-it-anyway/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [Everybody knows what they were kind of drawn towards or what they're gifted at and it's more of courage and looking at yourself and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/everybody-knows-what-they-were-kind-of-drawn-towards-or-what-they-re/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [Remember: your bosses prefer to keep you in dependent positions. It is in their interest that you do not become self-reliant, and so they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/remember-your-bosses-prefer-to-keep-you-in-dependent-positions-it-is/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [I want to be able to write, that's my first love and I don't want to deviate from it even though I probably could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/i-want-to-be-able-to-write-that-s-my-first-love-and-i-don-t-want-to/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [It's sometimes hard to talk about politics and art. Obviously, I have my core beliefs, but I think art is best when it's troublesome…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/it-s-sometimes-hard-to-talk-about-politics-and-art-obviously-i-have/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [If you change and adapt your persona, you are seen as inauthentic; if you stay the angry young man, you fade from attention or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/if-you-change-and-adapt-your-persona-you-are-seen-as-inauthentic-if/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [Your energy, your spirit are important considerations. Feeling petty and frustrated can have reverberating consequences for your ability to think strategically and reach your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/your-energy-your-spirit-are-important-considerations-feeling-petty/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [Fear creates its own self-fulfilling dynamic- as people give into it, they lose energy and momentum. Their lack of confidence translates into inaction that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/fear-creates-its-own-self-fulfilling-dynamic-as-people-give-into-it/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [What I like about the internet, what I see there is that its much more democratic. I have much more control, and if what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/what-i-like-about-the-internet-what-i-see-there-is-that-its-much-more/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [“It is hard for us to imagine now, but our earliest human ancestors who ventured out onto the grasslands of East Africa some six…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/it-is-hard-for-us-to-imagine-now-but-our-earliest-human-ancestors-who/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [“Let us call this quality the Original Mind. This mind looked at the world more directly—not through words and received ideas. It was flexible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/let-us-call-this-quality-the-original-mind-this-mind-looked-at-the/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) [Explore all 511 Robert Greene quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) ## More Existence quotes > [Getting on the cover of TIME guarantees the existence of opposition in the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kenneth-galbraith/getting-on-the-cover-of-time-guarantees-the-existence-of-opposition/) [John Kenneth Galbraith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kenneth-galbraith/) > [The time that one gains cannot be accumulated in a storehouse; it is contradictory to want to save up existence, which, the fact is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-de-beauvoir/the-time-that-one-gains-cannot-be-accumulated-in-a-storehouse-it-is/) [Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-de-beauvoir/) > [A lot of indigenous cultures are deeply involved in working with ancestor spirits, elemental spirits, and demons. Many of these cultures feel that, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-pinchbeck/a-lot-of-indigenous-cultures-are-deeply-involved-in-working-with/) [Daniel Pinchbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-pinchbeck/) > [It does not seem to me to be sufficiently recognized everywhere among the officials that the existence or non-existence of our people and Empire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-von-hindenburg/it-does-not-seem-to-me-to-be-sufficiently-recognized-everywhere-among/) [Paul von Hindenburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-von-hindenburg/) > [Quantum physics fluctuates all the time. But now the fluctuations are not just particles coming into and out of existence, which happens all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/quantum-physics-fluctuates-all-the-time-but-now-the-fluctuations-are/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [We have a fear of facing ourselves. That is the obstacle. Experiencing the innermost core of our existence is very embarrassing to a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/we-have-a-fear-of-facing-ourselves-that-is-the-obstacle-experiencing/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [One of the things I regret about not putting in that book or I think it's there but I didn't really elaborate on it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-warner/one-of-the-things-i-regret-about-not-putting-in-that-book-or-i-think/) [Brad Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-warner/) > [My mind rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work, give me the most abstruse cryptogram, or the most intricate analysis, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/my-mind-rebels-at-stagnation-give-me-problems-give-me-work-give-me/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [May God bless each of us in our calls to serve. May our faith strengthen as we serve in righteousness, faithfully keeping the commandments.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-tom-perry/may-god-bless-each-of-us-in-our-calls-to-serve-may-our-faith/) [L. Tom Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-tom-perry/) > [Never belong to a crowd; Never belong to a nation; Never belong to a religion; Never belong to a race. Belong to the whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/never-belong-to-a-crowd-never-belong-to-a-nation-never-belong-to-a/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, of the manifestations of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty - it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/a-knowledge-of-the-existence-of-something-we-cannot-penetrate-of-the/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Universities are the cathedrals of the modern age. They shouldn't have to justify their existence by utilitarian criteria.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lodge/universities-are-the-cathedrals-of-the-modern-age-they-shouldn-t-have/) [David Lodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lodge/) > [Just as everybody has the vote including women, I think children should, because as a child is conscious of itself then it has to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-stein/just-as-everybody-has-the-vote-including-women-i-think-children/) [Gertrude Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-stein/) > [To divide one's life by years is of course to tumble into a trap set by our own arithmetic. The calendar consents to carry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clifton-fadiman/to-divide-one-s-life-by-years-is-of-course-to-tumble-into-a-trap-set/) [Clifton Fadiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clifton-fadiman/) > [The party in Alobar’s head, which agitation and anxiety were throwing, now was crashed by a notion: existence can be rearranged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/the-party-in-alobar-s-head-which-agitation-and-anxiety-were-throwing/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) [Browse all 7,646 Existence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Religion is the great balm of existence because it takes us outside ourselves, connects us to something larger", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Robert Greene" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/religion-is-the-great-balm-of-existence-because-it-takes-us-outside/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Existence" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/religion-is-the-great-balm-of-existence-because-it-takes-us-outside/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3e/robert-greene-498_existence_religion-is-the-great-balm-of-existence_2925432.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3e/robert-greene-498_existence_religion-is-the-great-balm-of-existence_2925432.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3e/robert-greene-498_existence_religion-is-the-great-balm-of-existence_2925432.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Religion is the great balm of existence because it takes us outside ourselves, connects us to something larger” — Robert Greene", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Robert Greene", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Religion is the great balm of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/religion-is-the-great-balm-of-existence-because-it-takes-us-outside/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/religion-is-the-great-balm-of-existence-because-it-takes-us-outside/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```