--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Opinion of ghosts, ignorance of second…" description: "\"Opinion of ghosts, ignorance of second causes, devotion to what men fear, and talking of things casual for prognostics, consisteth the natural seeds of..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e37/thomas-hobbes-1127_casual_opinion-of-ghosts-ignorance-of-second-ca_2006690.jpg" --- # Opinion of ghosts, ignorance of second causes, devotion to… ![“Opinion of ghosts, ignorance of second causes, devotion to what men fear, and talking of things casual for prognostics, consisteth the natural seeds of religion” quote by Thomas Hobbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e37/thomas-hobbes-1127_casual_opinion-of-ghosts-ignorance-of-second-ca_2006690.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e37/thomas-hobbes-1127_casual_opinion-of-ghosts-ignorance-of-second-ca_2006690.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e37/thomas-hobbes-1127_casual_opinion-of-ghosts-ignorance-of-second-ca_2006690.jpg) > “Opinion of ghosts, ignorance of second causes, devotion to what men fear, and talking of things casual for prognostics, consisteth the natural seeds of religion” [Thomas Hobbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hobbes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Fear, ignorance, and superstition seed religion, suggesting it arises from human attempts to explain unknown causes. **In simple terms:** Religion stems from fear and ignorance. Key Takeaway Question assumptions behind belief systems. Themes religion fear ignorance Mood analytical skeptical Type philosophical historical When to use this quote - theological debate - secular education - public policy - personal belief - cultural analysis Key Concepts political philosophy psychology history of ideas Questions to Reflect On - Why do humans seek explanations for the unknown? - How can rational inquiry coexist with spiritual needs? A Different Perspective May oversimplify complex faith experiences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Devotion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devotion/) [Ghost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ghost/) [Ignorance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorance/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinion/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) ## Related quotes > [The first thing the reasonable man must do is to be content with a very little knowledge and a very great deal of ignorance.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-david-ritchie/the-first-thing-the-reasonable-man-must-do-is-to-be-content-with-a/) [Arthur David Ritchie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-david-ritchie/) > [By consequence, or train of thoughts, I understand that succession of one thought to another which is called, to distinguish it from discourse in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hobbes/by-consequence-or-train-of-thoughts-i-understand-that-succession-of/) [Thomas Hobbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hobbes/) > [Even a casual observer can see that not one of the systems, institutions, and devices that our species has put into place on this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neale-donald-walsch/even-a-casual-observer-can-see-that-not-one-of-the-systems/) [Neale Donald Walsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neale-donald-walsch/) > [Daily fervent prayers seeking forgiveness and special help and direction are essential to our lives and the nourishment of our testimonies. 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