--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What the historian Elie Kedourie called…" description: "\"What the historian Elie Kedourie called \"the Chatham House Version\" - that toxic amalgam of smugness, moral relativism, and cherished feelings of guilt..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/921/roger-kimball-30512_achievement_what-the-historian-elie-kedourie-called_1373955.png" --- # What the historian Elie Kedourie called "the Chatham House… ![“What the historian Elie Kedourie called "the Chatham House Version" - that toxic amalgam of smugness, moral relativism, and cherished feelings of guilt about the achievements of Western civilization - everywhere nurtured the catechism of established opinion.” quote by Roger Kimball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/921/roger-kimball-30512_achievement_what-the-historian-elie-kedourie-called_1373955.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/921/roger-kimball-30512_achievement_what-the-historian-elie-kedourie-called_1373955.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/921/roger-kimball-30512_achievement_what-the-historian-elie-kedourie-called_1373955.png) > “What the historian Elie Kedourie called "the Chatham House Version" - that toxic amalgam of smugness, moral relativism, and cherished feelings of guilt about the achievements of Western civilization - everywhere nurtured the catechism of established opinion.” [Roger Kimball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-kimball/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote critiques a Western mindset that mixes smugness, moral relativism, and guilt, which sustains prevailing opinions. **In simple terms:** Western guilt and smugness mask deeper issues, keeping old ideas alive. Key Takeaway Recognize and challenge complacent narratives. Themes culture morality intellectual history Mood critical reflective Type cultural philosophical When to use this quote - academic debates - media analysis - public discourse - education curricula Key Concepts Western civilization guilt relativism ideology Questions to Reflect On - What fuels the guilt about Western achievements? - How can we foster honest self‑critique? A Different Perspective Overcoming entrenched beliefs can be socially resistant. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Achievement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/achievement/) [Amalgam Smugness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amalgam-smugness-4738349/) [Catechism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/catechism/) [Chatham House](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chatham-house-4738348/) [Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Guilt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guilt/) [Historian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/historian/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [House](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/house/) [Moral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral/) [Moral relativism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral-relativism/) [Nurtured Catechism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nurtured-catechism-4738350/) [Opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinion/) [Relativism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relativism/) [Smugness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smugness/) [Smugness Moral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smugness-moral-4738347/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Toxic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/toxic/) [Versions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/versions/) [Western](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/western/) [Western civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/western-civilization/) ## Related quotes > [“Men tend to be more orthodox in belief. 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