---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The ascendency of the sacerdotal order…"
description: "\"The ascendency of the sacerdotal order was long the ascendency which naturally and properly belonged to intellectual superiority.\" — Thomas B. Macaulay"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d1/thomas-b-macaulay-1980_clergymen_the-ascendency-of-the-sacerdotal-order-w_1247333.png"
---

#  The ascendency of the sacerdotal order was long the…

![“The ascendency of the sacerdotal order was long the ascendency which naturally and properly belonged to intellectual superiority.” quote by Thomas B. Macaulay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d1/thomas-b-macaulay-1980_clergymen_the-ascendency-of-the-sacerdotal-order-w_1247333.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d1/thomas-b-macaulay-1980_clergymen_the-ascendency-of-the-sacerdotal-order-w_1247333.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d1/thomas-b-macaulay-1980_clergymen_the-ascendency-of-the-sacerdotal-order-w_1247333.png)

> “The ascendency of the sacerdotal order was long the ascendency which naturally and properly belonged to intellectual superiority.”

[Thomas B. Macaulay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-b-macaulay/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Intellectual superiority historically justified the dominance of religious authority.

**In simple terms:** Intellectual elites once claimed authority over religion.

Key Takeaway

Question the link between intellect and authority.

Themes

history power religion intellect

Mood

critical reflective

Type

historical political

When to use this quote

- education reform
- religious critique
- political analysis
- leadership training

Key Concepts

Sociology philosophy of power

Questions to Reflect On

- What modern structures claim intellectual superiority?
- How does this affect social equity?

A Different Perspective

Authority can be contested by diverse perspectives.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Ascendency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ascendency-1042653/) [Ascendency Naturally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ascendency-naturally-3917553/) [Ascendency Sacerdotal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ascendency-sacerdotal-3917551/) [Clergymen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clergymen/) [Intellectual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intellectual/) [Intellectual superiority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intellectual-superiority/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Long Ascendency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-ascendency-3917552/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Superiority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superiority/)

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## More by Thomas B. Macaulay

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