--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: An enlightened trust in the sovereignty…" description: "\"An enlightened trust in the sovereignty of human reason can be every bit as magical as the exploits of Merlin, and a faith in our capacity for limitles..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/319/terry-eagleton-1660_capacity_an-enlightened-trust-in-the-sovereignty_2577068.jpg" --- # An enlightened trust in the sovereignty of human reason… ![“An enlightened trust in the sovereignty of human reason can be every bit as magical as the exploits of Merlin, and a faith in our capacity for limitless self-improvement just as much a wide-eyed superstition as a faith in leprechauns.” quote by Terry Eagleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/319/terry-eagleton-1660_capacity_an-enlightened-trust-in-the-sovereignty_2577068.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/319/terry-eagleton-1660_capacity_an-enlightened-trust-in-the-sovereignty_2577068.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/319/terry-eagleton-1660_capacity_an-enlightened-trust-in-the-sovereignty_2577068.jpg) > “An enlightened trust in the sovereignty of human reason can be every bit as magical as the exploits of Merlin, and a faith in our capacity for limitless self-improvement just as much a wide-eyed superstition as a faith in leprechauns.” [Terry Eagleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-eagleton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human reason can be as wondrous as myth, but believing in limitless self‑improvement is a superstition akin to believing in leprechauns. **In simple terms:** Reason and belief in progress are both magical and naive. Key Takeaway Balance rational optimism with realistic expectations. Themes reason optimism myth self‑improvement Mood hopeful critical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - education reform - personal development - public policy - science communication Key Concepts humanism skepticism cognitive bias Questions to Reflect On - How does belief in reason shape societal goals? - When does optimism become denial? A Different Perspective Overconfidence may ignore practical limits. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Enlightened](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enlightened/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Improvement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/improvement/) [Leprechaun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leprechaun/) [Limitless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/limitless/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self improvement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-improvement/) [Sovereignty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sovereignty/) [Superstition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superstition/) [Superstitions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superstitions/) [Trust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trust/) ## Related quotes > [The superstition of science scoffs at the superstition of faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-anthony-froude/the-superstition-of-science-scoffs-at-the-superstition-of-faith/) [James Anthony Froude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-anthony-froude/) > [ Through it \[Science\] we believe that man will be saved from misery and degradation, not merely acquiring new material powers, but learning to use… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-lankester/through-it-science-we-believe-that-man-will-be-saved-from-misery-and/) Ray Lankester > [As leaders, it all comes down to trust. 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