--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The human psyche has two great…" description: "\"“The human psyche has two great sicknesses: the urge to carry vendetta across generations, and the tendency to fasten group labels on people rather tha..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd5/sam-harris-457_human-psyche_the-human-psyche-has-two-great-sicknesse_2525130.jpg" --- # The human psyche has two great sicknesses: the urge to… ![“The human psyche has two great sicknesses: the urge to carry vendetta across generations, and the tendency to fasten group labels on people rather than see them as individuals. Abrahamic religion gives strong sanction to both—and mixes explosively with both. Only the willfully blind could fail to…” quote by Sam Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd5/sam-harris-457_human-psyche_the-human-psyche-has-two-great-sicknesse_2525130.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd5/sam-harris-457_human-psyche_the-human-psyche-has-two-great-sicknesse_2525130.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd5/sam-harris-457_human-psyche_the-human-psyche-has-two-great-sicknesse_2525130.jpg) > ““The human psyche has two great sicknesses: the urge to carry vendetta across generations, and the tendency to fasten group labels on people rather than see them as individuals. Abrahamic religion gives strong sanction to both—and mixes explosively with both. Only the willfully blind could fail to implicate the divisive force of religion in most, if not all, of the violent enmities in the world today. Without a doubt it is the prime aggravator of the Middle East. Those of us who have for years politely concealed our contempt for the dangerous collective delusion of religion need to stand up and speak out. Things are different now. “All is changed, changed utterly.” —RICHARD DAWKINS”” [Sam Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-harris/) ## 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 argues that religion fuels intergenerational vendettas and group labeling, intensifying global violence, especially in the Middle East, and calls for outspoken criticism of this collective delusion. **In simple terms:** Religion fuels hatred and division, worsening conflict. Key Takeaway Speak out against religious divisiveness. Themes religion conflict identity violence criticism Mood critical urgent reflective Type philosophical activist political When to use this quote - political discourse - interfaith dialogue - education reform - media commentary Key Concepts group psychology intergenerational trauma social labeling Questions to Reflect On - How can societies address religious conflict without alienating believers? - What alternatives to religious identity can foster unity? A Different Perspective Religious belief can also provide community and moral guidance, complicating a total rejection. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abrahamic Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abrahamic-religion-358008/) [Collective Delusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/collective-delusion-1288955/) [Delusion Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/delusion-religion-1288954/) [Human psyche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-psyche/) [Individuals Abrahamic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individuals-abrahamic-1265849/) [Middle east](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/middle-east/) [Religion Violent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion-violent-1265848/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/richard-dawkins/) ## Related quotes > [“The human psyche has two great sicknesses: the urge to carry vendetta across generations, and the tendency to fasten group labels on people rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/the-human-psyche-has-two-great-sicknesses-the-urge-to-carry-vendetta-2/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [The human psyche has two great sicknesses: the urge to carry vendetta across generations, and the tendency to fasten group labels on people rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/the-human-psyche-has-two-great-sicknesses-the-urge-to-carry-vendetta-3/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [Religion restricts the play of choice and adaptation, since it imposes equally on everyone its own path to the acquisition of happiness and protection…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigmund-freud/religion-restricts-the-play-of-choice-and-adaptation-since-it-imposes/) [Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigmund-freud/) > [When violence becomes imbedded in a region, then this affects everything. 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