--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Happy (if mortals can be) is the man,Who…" description: "\"Happy (if mortals can be) is the man,Who, not by priest but Reason, rules his span:Reason, to its possessor a sure guide,Reason, a thorn in Revelation'..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/thomas-chatterton-45547_death_happy-if-mortals-can-be-is-the-man-who-n_6086.jpg" --- # Happy (if mortals can be) is the man,Who, not by priest… ![“Happy (if mortals can be) is the man,Who, not by priest but Reason, rules his span:Reason, to its possessor a sure guide,Reason, a thorn in Revelation's side.” quote by Thomas Chatterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/thomas-chatterton-45547_death_happy-if-mortals-can-be-is-the-man-who-n_6086.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/thomas-chatterton-45547_death_happy-if-mortals-can-be-is-the-man-who-n_6086.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/thomas-chatterton-45547_death_happy-if-mortals-can-be-is-the-man-who-n_6086.jpg) > “Happy (if mortals can be) is the man,Who, not by priest but Reason, rules his span:Reason, to its possessor a sure guide,Reason, a thorn in Revelation's side.” [Thomas Chatterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-chatterton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage argues that true happiness stems from rational self‑governance rather than religious authority, positioning reason as both a compass and a disruptive force to dogma. **In simple terms:** Reason guides happiness, challenging priestly control. Key Takeaway Rational autonomy yields lasting joy. Themes autonomy reason vs faith self‑governance inner peace skepticism Mood reflective determined Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal decision‑making - ethical dilemmas - spiritual questioning - leadership challenges Key Concepts reason as guide priestly authority human agency Practical Applications - self‑help frameworks - critical thinking curricula Questions to Reflect On - How does reliance on reason affect emotional fulfillment? - What tensions arise when reason confronts tradition? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Guides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guides/) [Happiest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiest/) [Happy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happy/) [Happy Mortals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happy-mortals-311242/) [He man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/he-man/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Mortals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mortals/) [Priest Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/priest-reason-311244/) [Priests](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/priests/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Reason Possessor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason-possessor-311243/) [Revelations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revelations/) [Sides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sides/) ## Related quotes > [Probably no theologian in English language has ever rivaled Owen stressing the absolute centrality of Christ's penal substitution and therefore his as Priest. .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/probably-no-theologian-in-english-language-has-ever-rivaled-owen/) [Sinclair B. 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It’s okay to be madly in love with yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/truth-is-i-m-generally-happiest-when-it-s-just-me-it-s-okay-to-be/) [Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) ## More by Thomas Chatterton > [There is a time for all things - except marriage, my dear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-chatterton/there-is-a-time-for-all-things-except-marriage-my-dear/) [Thomas Chatterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-chatterton/) > [“Faygne woulde I curse thee further, botte mie tyngue Denies mie harte the favoure soe toe doe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-chatterton/faygne-woulde-i-curse-thee-further-botte-mie-tyngue-denies-mie-harte/) [Thomas Chatterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-chatterton/) > [Almighty Framer of the Skies!O let our pure devotion rise,Like Incense in thy Sight!Wrapt in impenetrable Shade,The Texture of our Souls were made,Till thy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-chatterton/almighty-framer-of-the-skies-o-let-our-pure-devotion-rise-like/) [Thomas Chatterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-chatterton/) > [The gatherd storme is rype; the bigge drops falle;The forswat meadowes smethe, and drenche the raine;The comyng ghastness do the cattle pall,And the full…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-chatterton/the-gatherd-storme-is-rype-the-bigge-drops-falle-the-forswat-meadowes/) [Thomas Chatterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-chatterton/) > [How shall we celebrate the day,When God appeared in mortal clay,The mark of worldly scorn;When the Archangel's heavenly Lays,Attempted the Redeemer's Praise,And hail'd Salvation's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-chatterton/how-shall-we-celebrate-the-day-when-god-appeared-in-mortal-clay-the/) [Thomas Chatterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-chatterton/) > [Haste to thie kiste, thie onlie dortoure bedde.Cale, as the claie whiche will gre on thie hedde,Is Charitie and Love aminge highe elves;Knightis and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-chatterton/haste-to-thie-kiste-thie-onlie-dortoure-bedde-cale-as-the-claie/) [Thomas Chatterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-chatterton/) > [It is my PRIDE, my damned, native, unconquerable Pride, that plunges me into Distraction. 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