Arguing Quote by William Butler Yeats
“Mysticism has been in the past and probably ever will be one of the great powers of the world, and it is bad scholarship to pretend the contrary. You may argue against it but you should no more treat it with disrespect than a perfectly cultivated writer would treat (say) the Catholic Church or the Church of Luther no matter how much he disliked them.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Lecture on Mysticism, 1930s
Mysticism is a powerful, enduring force and should be respected like any major institution, not dismissed without scholarly rigor.
In simple terms: Mysticism is influential and deserves respectful study.
Key Takeaway
Treat mysticism with scholarly respect.
Themes
respect
scholarship
tradition
power
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
critical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- interfaith dialogue
- literary analysis
- historical research
Key Concepts
Mysticism
cultural influence
intellectual humility
Questions to Reflect On
- How does dismissing mysticism affect cultural understanding?
- What responsibilities do scholars have when evaluating belief systems?
A Different Perspective
Dismissal can lead to cultural bias and loss of insight.
