--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Superstition! that horrid incubus which…" description: "\"Superstition! that horrid incubus which dwelt in darkness, shunning the light, with all its racks, and poison chalices, and foul sleeping draughts, is ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bcd/thomas-carlyle-207_burning_superstition-that-horrid-incubus-which-d_2420294.png" --- # Superstition! that horrid incubus which dwelt in darkness… ![“Superstition! that horrid incubus which dwelt in darkness, shunning the light, with all its racks, and poison chalices, and foul sleeping draughts, is passing away without return. Religion cannot pass away. The burning of a little straw may hide the stars of the sky; but the stars are there and…” quote by Thomas Carlyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bcd/thomas-carlyle-207_burning_superstition-that-horrid-incubus-which-d_2420294.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bcd/thomas-carlyle-207_burning_superstition-that-horrid-incubus-which-d_2420294.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bcd/thomas-carlyle-207_burning_superstition-that-horrid-incubus-which-d_2420294.png) > “Superstition! that horrid incubus which dwelt in darkness, shunning the light, with all its racks, and poison chalices, and foul sleeping draughts, is passing away without return. Religion cannot pass away. The burning of a little straw may hide the stars of the sky; but the stars are there and will reappear.” [Thomas Carlyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-carlyle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Superstition fades, but religion endures; hidden truths persist despite attempts to obscure them. **In simple terms:** Religion outlasts superstition. Key Takeaway Seek deeper truths beyond surface beliefs. Themes faith superstition truth Mood thoughtful reflective Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - cultural analysis - personal belief - historical perspective Key Concepts philosophy religious persistence Questions to Reflect On - What core beliefs survive societal change? - How do we distinguish myth from enduring truth? A Different Perspective Superstition can still influence behavior even when dismissed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Darkness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkness/) [Incubus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/incubus/) [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Passing away](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passing-away/) [Poison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poison/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Shunning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shunning/) [Sky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sky/) [Sleep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sleep/) [Stars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stars/) [Superstition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superstition/) [Superstitions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superstitions/) ## Related quotes > [The perfect mystic is not an ecstatic devotee lost in contemplation of Oneness, nor a saintly recluse shunning all commerce with mankind, but "the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abu-sa-id-abul-khayr/the-perfect-mystic-is-not-an-ecstatic-devotee-lost-in-contemplation/) Abu-Sa'id Abul-Khayr > [Not by blaming the world, not by shunning the world, but only be loving the world can I have peace of mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-chinmoy/not-by-blaming-the-world-not-by-shunning-the-world-but-only-be-loving/) [Sri Chinmoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-chinmoy/) > [You know Facebook has this sort of bizarre culture of like really shunning people who raise legitimate concerns about how, you know, their company…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-wylie/you-know-facebook-has-this-sort-of-bizarre-culture-of-like-really/) [Christopher Wylie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-wylie/) > [Ultimately the case for shunning animal flesh does not rest on what the Buddha allegedly said or didn't say. 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