--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is so stupid of modern civilization to…" description: "\"It is so stupid of modern civilization to have given up believing in the devil when he is the only explanation of it.\" — Ronald Knox" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc3/ronald-knox-23264_civilization_it-is-so-stupid-of-modern-civilization-t_747688.jpg" --- # It is so stupid of modern civilization to have given up… ![“It is so stupid of modern civilization to have given up believing in the devil when he is the only explanation of it.” quote by Ronald Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc3/ronald-knox-23264_civilization_it-is-so-stupid-of-modern-civilization-t_747688.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc3/ronald-knox-23264_civilization_it-is-so-stupid-of-modern-civilization-t_747688.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc3/ronald-knox-23264_civilization_it-is-so-stupid-of-modern-civilization-t_747688.jpg) > “It is so stupid of modern civilization to have given up believing in the devil when he is the only explanation of it.” [Ronald Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-knox/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Modern society dismisses evil as a concept, but the devil serves as a metaphor for human wrongdoing and moral responsibility. **In simple terms:** We ignore evil, but it explains bad behavior. Key Takeaway Recognize evil as a symbol of moral failings. Themes morality philosophy human nature Mood critical thoughtful Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - political discourse - ethical debates - personal introspection - cultural criticism Key Concepts metaphor evil responsibility Questions to Reflect On - How does belief in a devil shape moral judgments? - Can we address wrongdoing without supernatural explanations? A Different Perspective Some argue that attributing actions to a devil oversimplifies complex social causes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Believing Devil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believing-devil-913459/) [Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization/) [Devil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devil/) [Devil Explanation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devil-explanation-5823816/) [Explanation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/explanation/) [Given](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/given/) [Modern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modern/) [Modern civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modern-civilization/) [Stupid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stupid/) [Stupid Modern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stupid-modern-5823817/) ## Related quotes > [“Too many people, when they reject God, go on believing in the devil. 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Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) ## More by Ronald Knox > [A baby is a loud noise at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-knox/a-baby-is-a-loud-noise-at-one-end-and-no-sense-of-responsibility-at/) [Ronald Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-knox/) > [The prevailing attitude of the speakers was one of heavy disagreement with a number of things which the reader had not said.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-knox/the-prevailing-attitude-of-the-speakers-was-one-of-heavy-disagreement/) [Ronald Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-knox/) > [When suave politeness, tempering bigot zeal, corrected 'I believe' to 'one does feel'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-knox/when-suave-politeness-tempering-bigot-zeal-corrected-i-believe-to-one/) [Ronald Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-knox/) > [Only those of us, I think, who were born under Queen Victoria know what it feels like to assume, without questioning, that England is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-knox/only-those-of-us-i-think-who-were-born-under-queen-victoria-know-what/) [Ronald Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-knox/) > [The great argument used now against any theological proposition is not, that it is untrue, or unthinkable, or unedifying, or unscriptural, or unorthodox, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-knox/the-great-argument-used-now-against-any-theological-proposition-is/) [Ronald Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-knox/) > [If you have a sloppy religion you get a sloppy atheism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-knox/if-you-have-a-sloppy-religion-you-get-a-sloppy-atheism/) [Ronald Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-knox/) > [Knox was engaged in a theological discussion with scientist John Scott Haldane. 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