Belief Quote by Thomas Carlyle
“They have their belief, these poor Tibet people, that Providence sends down always an Incarnation of Himself into every generation. At bottom some belief in a kind of Pope! At bottom still better, a belief that there is a Greatest Man; that he is discoverable; that, once discovered, we ought to treat him with an obedience which knows no bounds. This is the truth of Grand Lamaism; the "discoverability" is the only error here.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Sartor Resartus, 1833
People often worship a charismatic leader as a divine incarnation, mistaking reverence for blind obedience.
In simple terms: Blind devotion to leaders can be dangerous.
Key Takeaway
Question leaders critically.
Themes
authority
faith
leadership
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- political movements
- religious sects
- charismatic CEOs
- social media influencers
Key Concepts
cult of personality
hero worship
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence supports a leader's claims?
- How can we balance respect and skepticism?
A Different Perspective
Charismatic leaders can be fallible and harmful.
