Crosses Quote by Thomas Carlyle
“The highest ensign that men ever met and embraced under, the Cross itself, had no meaning save an accidental extrinsic one.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Sartor Resartus, 1833
The Cross holds no intrinsic meaning beyond the accidental significance humans assign to it.
In simple terms: The Cross’s meaning is human‑assigned, not inherent.
Recognize symbols as constructs, not absolutes.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- theological debate
- artistic interpretation
- personal reflection
- cultural studies
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we cling to symbols for meaning?
- Can meaning exist without symbols?
Overemphasis on symbols can obscure deeper truths.