--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Priests claimed the gods made men, but…" description: "\"“Priests claimed the gods made men, but this was not so. Men made the gods. Firstly, by forming them in clay, by chipping them from stone. Secondly, an..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/354/tanith-lee-3374_quote_priests-claimed-the-gods-made-men-but-th_2107347.jpg" --- # Priests claimed the gods made men, but this was not so… ![“Priests claimed the gods made men, but this was not so. Men made the gods. Firstly, by forming them in clay, by chipping them from stone. Secondly, and more importantly, by believing in them, believing in them utterly. During” quote by Tanith Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/354/tanith-lee-3374_quote_priests-claimed-the-gods-made-men-but-th_2107347.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/354/tanith-lee-3374_quote_priests-claimed-the-gods-made-men-but-th_2107347.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/354/tanith-lee-3374_quote_priests-claimed-the-gods-made-men-but-th_2107347.jpg) > ““Priests claimed the gods made men, but this was not so. Men made the gods. Firstly, by forming them in clay, by chipping them from stone. Secondly, and more importantly, by believing in them, believing in them utterly. During”” [Tanith Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanith-lee/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage argues that gods are human constructs, created first physically and then through unwavering belief, highlighting the power of belief in shaping deities. **In simple terms:** Gods are made by humans, both physically and through belief. Key Takeaway Recognize the influence of belief on concepts of divinity. Themes mythology belief creation Mood analytical critical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - cultural studies - religious critique - philosophical debate - creative storytelling Key Concepts human construct faith psychology Questions to Reflect On - What does it mean to create a god? - How does belief shape reality? A Different Perspective Belief can be manipulated, leading to false idols. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Gods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gods/) ## Related quotes > [Gods and men create one another, destroy one another, though by different means.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/gods-and-men-create-one-another-destroy-one-another-though-by/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [He was a god, such as men might be, if men were gods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-anderson/he-was-a-god-such-as-men-might-be-if-men-were-gods/) [Maxwell Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-anderson/) > [“Did the fact that Martin Luther King diddled all those women change what he did for his people? Or Franklin Roosevelt? General Eisenhower? 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There are no words left on the earth in any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanith-lee/having-told-of-so-much-beauty-how-is-it-possible-to-tell-of-her-there/) [Tanith Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanith-lee/) > [As a child, my mother told me lots of fairy stories, many her own invention. She, too, tended to reverse the norm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanith-lee/as-a-child-my-mother-told-me-lots-of-fairy-stories-many-her-own/) [Tanith Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanith-lee/) > [“Often misunderstood, Dionysus is far more than a wine deity. He is the Breaker of Chains, who rescues not only the flesh but the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanith-lee/often-misunderstood-dionysus-is-far-more-than-a-wine-deity-he-is-the/) [Tanith Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanith-lee/) > [In the usual way I submitted manuscripts to publishers. 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But to say it's too complex is to insult the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanith-lee/if-they-had-said-my-writing-wasn-t-good-enough-fair-enough-that-s-an/) [Tanith Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanith-lee/) > [“Louisa beheld the grounds and house with the calm pleasure of one who has seen nothing, been nowhere, expects everything, and has little imagination.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanith-lee/louisa-beheld-the-grounds-and-house-with-the-calm-pleasure-of-one-who/) [Tanith Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanith-lee/) > [“Live and let love. Love and let go. Go live.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanith-lee/live-and-let-love-love-and-let-go-go-live/) [Tanith Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanith-lee/) > [Pirates have always fascinated me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanith-lee/pirates-have-always-fascinated-me/) [Tanith Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanith-lee/) > [“All the Scarabae—all but one—were crowded in the garden. 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I'll build you a temple of mirrors so you can see them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-gibson/what-gods-do-you-believe-in-i-ll-build-you-a-temple-of-mirrors-so-you/) [Andrea Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-gibson/) > [Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/against-stupidity-the-gods-themselves-contend-in-vain/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Do you see those dull stars?" She outlined the formation with her finger. "A pentagram," whispered Scott. "Yes, but not just any pentagram. Take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mattie/do-you-see-those-dull-stars-she-outlined-the-formation-with-her/) [Katie Mattie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mattie/) > [How do you explain a person like Asha Bhosle? 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