Civilized Quote by Sigmund Freud
“The gods retain their threefold task: they must exorcize the terrors of nature, they must reconcile men to the cruelty of Fate, particularly as it is shown in death, and they must compensate them for the sufferings and privations which a civilized life in common has imposed on them.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Future of an Illusion, 1927
Divine forces are imagined to control nature, fate, and suffering, offering comfort for life's hardships.
In simple terms: Gods explain nature, fate, and suffering.
Key Takeaway
Recognize myth as coping.
Themes
myth
psychology
existentialism
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
psychological
existential
When to use this quote
- grief counseling
- philosophical debate
- literary analysis
- spiritual reflection
Key Concepts
Freud
religion
human suffering
Questions to Reflect On
- Do myths help or hinder personal growth?
- Can we find meaning without gods?
A Different Perspective
Not all accept divine explanations.
![“That country [Carthage] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws; and every step of intestine discord was marked by some deplorable victory of savage man over civilized society.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70c/edward-gibbon-710_barbarism_that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinkin_393.jpg)
