--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: At a great distance appeared with the…" description: "\"“At a great distance appeared with the same pomp the sheep of Thebes, the dog of Bubastis, the cat of Phoebe, the crocodile of Arsinoe, the goat of Men..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4e/voltaire-173_gods_at-a-great-distance-appeared-with-the-sa_2671334.jpg" --- # At a great distance appeared with the same pomp the sheep… ![“At a great distance appeared with the same pomp the sheep of Thebes, the dog of Bubastis, the cat of Phoebe, the crocodile of Arsinoe, the goat of Mendes, and all the inferior gods of Egypt, who came to pay homage to the great ox, to the mighty Apis, as powerful as Isis, Osiris, and Horus, united…” quote by Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4e/voltaire-173_gods_at-a-great-distance-appeared-with-the-sa_2671334.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4e/voltaire-173_gods_at-a-great-distance-appeared-with-the-sa_2671334.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4e/voltaire-173_gods_at-a-great-distance-appeared-with-the-sa_2671334.jpg) > ““At a great distance appeared with the same pomp the sheep of Thebes, the dog of Bubastis, the cat of Phoebe, the crocodile of Arsinoe, the goat of Mendes, and all the inferior gods of Egypt, who came to pay homage to the great ox, to the mighty Apis, as powerful as Isis, Osiris, and Horus, united together. In the midst of the demi-gods, forty priests carried an enormous basket, filled with sacred onions. These were, it is true, gods, but they resembled onions very much. ("The White Bull")”” [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Satirically lists Egyptian deities and absurdities, mocking religious pomp and highlighting human tendency to revere the trivial. **In simple terms:** Mocks religious pomp and trivial worship. Key Takeaway Question the seriousness of ritual. Themes satire religion absurdity culture Mood witty critical Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - academic lectures - theatre productions - cultural critiques - educational seminars Key Concepts theatre philosophy history Questions to Reflect On - Why do societies elevate trivial symbols? - How does satire reveal truth? A Different Perspective Satire may be misunderstood as disrespect. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Gods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gods/) [Gods Egypt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gods-egypt-2325323/) [Gods Resembled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gods-resembled-961804/) [Great Ox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-ox-2504929/) [Onions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/onions/) [Sheep Thebes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sheep-thebes-2504926/) ## Related quotes > [“Not all the gods who appear in these tales and fancies became more than mythological figures. 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That the gods demand the hearts from our bodies?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-lafevers/is-that-what-they-teach-you-at-the-convent-that-the-gods-demand-the/) [Robin LaFevers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-lafevers/) > [What Gods do you believe in? I'll build you a temple of mirrors so you can see them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-gibson/what-gods-do-you-believe-in-i-ll-build-you-a-temple-of-mirrors-so-you/) [Andrea Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-gibson/) > [Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/against-stupidity-the-gods-themselves-contend-in-vain/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Do you see those dull stars?" She outlined the formation with her finger. "A pentagram," whispered Scott. "Yes, but not just any pentagram. Take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mattie/do-you-see-those-dull-stars-she-outlined-the-formation-with-her/) [Katie Mattie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mattie/) > [How do you explain a person like Asha Bhosle? A star or a super star or just someone from the Gods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anu-malik/how-do-you-explain-a-person-like-asha-bhosle-a-star-or-a-super-star/) [Anu Malik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anu-malik/) > [“Once upon a time, there was a man as great as the gods… But even the great can tremble with fear. Even the great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-e-pearson/once-upon-a-time-there-was-a-man-as-great-as-the-gods-but-even-the/) [Mary E. Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-e-pearson/) > [“Aeneas' mother is a star?" "No; a goddess." 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