--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Reverence is an ennobling sentiment; it…" description: "\"Reverence is an ennobling sentiment; it is felt to be degrading only by the vulgar mind, which would escape the sense of its own littleness by elevatin..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/877/washington-allston-18536_antagonist_reverence-is-an-ennobling-sentiment-it-i_3168636.jpg" --- # Reverence is an ennobling sentiment; it is felt to be… ![“Reverence is an ennobling sentiment; it is felt to be degrading only by the vulgar mind, which would escape the sense of its own littleness by elevating itself into an antagonist of what is above it. He that has no pleasure in looking up is not fit so much as to look down. Of such minds are…” quote by Washington Allston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/877/washington-allston-18536_antagonist_reverence-is-an-ennobling-sentiment-it-i_3168636.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/877/washington-allston-18536_antagonist_reverence-is-an-ennobling-sentiment-it-i_3168636.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/877/washington-allston-18536_antagonist_reverence-is-an-ennobling-sentiment-it-i_3168636.jpg) > “Reverence is an ennobling sentiment; it is felt to be degrading only by the vulgar mind, which would escape the sense of its own littleness by elevating itself into an antagonist of what is above it. He that has no pleasure in looking up is not fit so much as to look down. Of such minds are mannerists in Art; in the world, tyrants of all sorts.” [Washington Allston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-allston/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Elevating oneself by despising higher ideals reveals a shallow, vulgar mindset that lacks true reverence. **In simple terms:** Seeing higher things as threats shows shallow thinking. Key Takeaway Cultivate humility and respect for higher ideals. Themes humility reverence arrogance Mood contemplative serious Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - art criticism - leadership - personal growth - education - politics Key Concepts philosophy psychology Questions to Reflect On - Do you respect what is above you? - How does humility affect your decisions? A Different Perspective Such disdain can stem from insecurity, limiting growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Antagonist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/antagonist/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Pleasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasure/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Reverence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reverence/) [Sentiments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sentiments/) [Tyrants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tyrants/) [Vulgar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vulgar/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [“also learned that the ones who invented the notion that work is ennobling were the same ones who drank and ate all night long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/also-learned-that-the-ones-who-invented-the-notion-that-work-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Most of my stories are not nice ones, their heroic aspects dimmed by the fact that the hand which struck me was my own.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-carr/most-of-my-stories-are-not-nice-ones-their-heroic-aspects-dimmed-by/) [David Carr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-carr/) > [Science as an intellectual exercise enriches our culture, and is in itself ennobling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-taube/science-as-an-intellectual-exercise-enriches-our-culture-and-is-in/) [Henry Taube](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-taube/) > [Imagine for a moment that each one of us takes only a little more care for each hour of his days, that he demands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-ortega-y-gasset/imagine-for-a-moment-that-each-one-of-us-takes-only-a-little-more/) [Jose Ortega y Gasset](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-ortega-y-gasset/) > [“The requirement by some Christians that others be Biblically 'ennobling' (lovingly building-them-up) by showing resilience & self-restraint in the face of their sin is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-patton/the-requirement-by-some-christians-that-others-be-biblically-2/) [Gary Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-patton/) > [The vulgar mind fancies that good judgment is implied chiefly in the capacity to censure; and yet there is no judgment so exquisite as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-gilmore-simms/the-vulgar-mind-fancies-that-good-judgment-is-implied-chiefly-in-the/) Walter Gilmore Simms > [“The requirement by some Christians that others be Biblically 'ennobling' (lovingly building-them-up) by showing resilience & self-restraint in the face of their sin, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-patton/the-requirement-by-some-christians-that-others-be-biblically/) [Gary Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-patton/) > [Dislike of another's opinions and beliefs neither justifies our own nor makes us more certain of them: and to transfer the repugnance to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lancaster-spalding/dislike-of-another-s-opinions-and-beliefs-neither-justifies-our-own/) [John Lancaster Spalding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lancaster-spalding/) > [It is the vice of a vulgar mind to be thrilled by bigness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-m-forster/it-is-the-vice-of-a-vulgar-mind-to-be-thrilled-by-bigness/) [E. M. Forster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-m-forster/) > [“The need to be right - the sign of a vulgar mind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/the-need-to-be-right-the-sign-of-a-vulgar-mind/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [The need to be right is the sign of a vulgar mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/the-need-to-be-right-is-the-sign-of-a-vulgar-mind/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [The vulgar mind always mistakes the exceptional for the important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-ralph-inge/the-vulgar-mind-always-mistakes-the-exceptional-for-the-important/) [William Ralph Inge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-ralph-inge/) > [We need to eliminate the existing hierarchy of subjects. Elevating some disciplines over others only reinforces outmoded assumptions of industrialism and offends the principle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-robinson/we-need-to-eliminate-the-existing-hierarchy-of-subjects-elevating/) [Ken Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-robinson/) > [Self-respect is the noblest garment with which a man can clothe himself, the most elevating feeling with which the mind can be inspired.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-smiles/self-respect-is-the-noblest-garment-with-which-a-man-can-clothe/) [Samuel Smiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-smiles/) > [I don't just try to score. The challenge is elevating my teammates to be able to win a championship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kobe-bryant/i-don-t-just-try-to-score-the-challenge-is-elevating-my-teammates-to/) [Kobe Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kobe-bryant/) ## More by Washington Allston > [It is my greatest misfortune to be too lazy, and by the few mortifications I have already set with on that account I predict…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-allston/it-is-my-greatest-misfortune-to-be-too-lazy-and-by-the-few/) [Washington Allston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-allston/) > [Selfishness in art, as in other things, is sensibility kept at home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-allston/selfishness-in-art-as-in-other-things-is-sensibility-kept-at-home/) [Washington Allston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-allston/) > [It is a hard matter for a man to lie all over, nature having provided king's evidence in almost every member. The hand will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-allston/it-is-a-hard-matter-for-a-man-to-lie-all-over-nature-having-provided/) [Washington Allston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-allston/) > [Desert being the essential condition of praise, there can be no reality in the one without the other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-allston/desert-being-the-essential-condition-of-praise-there-can-be-no/) [Washington Allston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-allston/) > [Never judge a work of art by its defects.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-allston/never-judge-a-work-of-art-by-its-defects/) [Washington Allston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-allston/) > [Humility is also a healing virtue; it will cicatrize a thousand wounds, which pride would keep forever open.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-allston/humility-is-also-a-healing-virtue-it-will-cicatrize-a-thousand-wounds/) [Washington Allston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-allston/) > [The love of gain never made a painter; but it has marred many.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-allston/the-love-of-gain-never-made-a-painter-but-it-has-marred-many/) [Washington Allston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-allston/) > [If an Artist love his Art for its own sake, he will delight in excellence wherever he meets it, as well in the work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-allston/if-an-artist-love-his-art-for-its-own-sake-he-will-delight-in/) [Washington Allston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-allston/) > [Never expect justice from a vain man; if he has the negative magnanimity not to disparage you, it is the most you can expect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-allston/never-expect-justice-from-a-vain-man-if-he-has-the-negative/) [Washington Allston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-allston/) > [I have no ambition to shine beyond my abilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-allston/i-have-no-ambition-to-shine-beyond-my-abilities/) [Washington Allston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-allston/) > [The greatest of all fools is the proud fool--who is at the mercy of every fool he meets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-allston/the-greatest-of-all-fools-is-the-proud-fool-who-is-at-the-mercy-of/) [Washington Allston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-allston/) > [Injustice allowed at home is not likely to be corrected abroad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-allston/injustice-allowed-at-home-is-not-likely-to-be-corrected-abroad/) [Washington Allston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-allston/) > [Nothing is rarer than a solitary lie; for lies breed like Surinam toads; you cannot tell one but out it comes with a hundred…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-allston/nothing-is-rarer-than-a-solitary-lie-for-lies-breed-like-surinam/) [Washington Allston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-allston/) > [Make no man your idol, for the best man must have faults; and his faults will insensibly become yours, in addition to your own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-allston/make-no-man-your-idol-for-the-best-man-must-have-faults-and-his/) [Washington Allston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-allston/) > [The only competition worthy of a wise man is with himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-allston/the-only-competition-worthy-of-a-wise-man-is-with-himself/) [Washington Allston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-allston/) [Explore all 34 Washington Allston quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-allston/) ## More Antagonist quotes > [For me, in any story that I take, the antagonist is more interesting and multi-dimensional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vetrimaaran/for-me-in-any-story-that-i-take-the-antagonist-is-more-interesting/) [Vetrimaaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vetrimaaran/) > [Self-love . . . is the sole antagonist of virtue, leading us constantly by our propensities to self-gratification in violation of our moral duties to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/self-love-is-the-sole-antagonist-of-virtue-leading-us-constantly-by/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Evil is relative - and what I mean by that is that our villains are as complex, as deep and as compelling as any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-johns/evil-is-relative-and-what-i-mean-by-that-is-that-our-villains-are-as/) [Geoff Johns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-johns/) > [Remember that when you meet your antagonist, to do everything in a mild agreeable manner. Let your courage be keen, but, at the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-brinsley-sheridan/remember-that-when-you-meet-your-antagonist-to-do-everything-in-a/) [Richard Brinsley Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-brinsley-sheridan/) > [We honor revelation too highly to make it the antagonist of reason, or to believe that it calls us to renounce our highest powers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-ellery-channing/we-honor-revelation-too-highly-to-make-it-the-antagonist-of-reason-or/) [William Ellery Channing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-ellery-channing/) > [It almost seems as though this roiling world is conspiring to test our patience at every turn. In fact, it is. With this in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-almost-seems-as-though-this-roiling-world-is-conspiring-to-test/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Horror itself is a bit of a bullied genre, the antagonist being literary snobbery and public misconception. And I think good horror tackles our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kealan-patrick-burke/horror-itself-is-a-bit-of-a-bullied-genre-the-antagonist-being/) [Kealan Patrick Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kealan-patrick-burke/) > [I'm a filmmaker, and I was most influenced by Hitchcock's films. How he could plant such deep enriched characters and then make us care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-haggis/i-m-a-filmmaker-and-i-was-most-influenced-by-hitchcock-s-films-how-he/) [Paul Haggis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-haggis/) > [Because the character is a fiction, he's a composite of other contributors to the science that brought this enzyme therapy through the process. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harrison-ford/because-the-character-is-a-fiction-he-s-a-composite-of-other/) [Harrison Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harrison-ford/) > [If you have to be the antagonist, you often have a lot more creative powers. You have a lot more color to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-atherton/if-you-have-to-be-the-antagonist-you-often-have-a-lot-more-creative/) William Atherton > [“I mean, without the antagonist, there would be no story! It’d be like: ‘Once upon a time there was a girl who wanted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/i-mean-without-the-antagonist-there-would-be-no-story-it-d-be-like/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [“Alice started to understand why people found her repulsive. In stories, anyone who didn't look quite right, who wasn't a perfect human being, was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgia-byng/alice-started-to-understand-why-people-found-her-repulsive-in-stories/) [Georgia Byng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgia-byng/) > [Error indeed has often prevailed by the assistance of power or force. Truth is the proper and sufficient antagonist to error.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/error-indeed-has-often-prevailed-by-the-assistance-of-power-or-force/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [We are the 1000 children of death. We're in-between, on the fence. Non-descript antagonists. I'm in-between, on the fence. Non-descript antagonist!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otep/we-are-the-1000-children-of-death-we-re-in-between-on-the-fence-non/) [Otep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otep/) > [From a real antagonist one gains boundless courage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-kafka/from-a-real-antagonist-one-gains-boundless-courage/) [Franz Kafka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-kafka/) [Browse all 123 Antagonist quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/antagonist/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Reverence is an ennobling sentiment; it is felt to be degrading only by the vulgar mind, which would escape the sense of its own littleness by elevating itself into an antagonist of what is above it. He that has no pleasure in looking up is not fit so much as to look down. 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