--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Ethiops say that their gods are…" description: "\"The Ethiops say that their gods are flat-nosed and black, While the Thracians say that theirs have blue eyes and red hair. “If oxen and horses and lion..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a39/xenophanes-16062_able_the-ethiops-say-that-their-gods-are-flat_2304348.png" --- # The Ethiops say that their gods are flat-nosed and black… ![“The Ethiops say that their gods are flat-nosed and black, While the Thracians say that theirs have blue eyes and red hair. “If oxen and horses and lions had hands and were able to draw with their hands and do the same things as men, horses would draw the shapes of gods to look like horses and oxen…” quote by Xenophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a39/xenophanes-16062_able_the-ethiops-say-that-their-gods-are-flat_2304348.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a39/xenophanes-16062_able_the-ethiops-say-that-their-gods-are-flat_2304348.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a39/xenophanes-16062_able_the-ethiops-say-that-their-gods-are-flat_2304348.png) > “The Ethiops say that their gods are flat-nosed and black, While the Thracians say that theirs have blue eyes and red hair. “If oxen and horses and lions had hands and were able to draw with their hands and do the same things as men, horses would draw the shapes of gods to look like horses and oxen would draw them to look like oxen, and each would make the gods' bodies have the same shape as they themselves had.” [Xenophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xenophanes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human depictions of deities reflect the physical traits of the species creating them, showing projection of self onto the divine. **In simple terms:** People imagine gods in their own image. Key Takeaway Recognize bias in how we define higher powers. Themes religion anthropology perception Mood contemplative inquisitive Type philosophical observational When to use this quote - theology discussions - artistic representation - cross‑cultural studies Key Concepts projection cognitive bias cultural relativism Questions to Reflect On - How do our cultural lenses shape our concept of the divine? - Can we imagine a deity without human traits? A Different Perspective May overlook universal aspects of spirituality beyond physical form. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Able](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/able/) [Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black/) [Blue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blue/) [Blue eyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blue-eyes/) [Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) [Draws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/draws/) [Eye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eye/) [Flats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flats/) [Gods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gods/) [Gods Look](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gods-look-1648807/) [Hair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hair/) [Hands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hands/) [Horse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/horse/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Lions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lions/) [Looks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looks/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Oxen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oxen/) [Oxen Draw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oxen-draw-1207375/) [Oxen Horses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oxen-horses-1207376/) [Red](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/red/) [Red hair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/red-hair/) [Shapes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shapes/) [Shapes Gods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shapes-gods-5454456/) ## Related quotes > [If oxen and horses and lions had hands and were able to draw with their hands and dothe same things as men, horses would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-oxen-and-horses-and-lions-had-hands-and-were-able-to-draw-with/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If oxen and horses and lions could draw and paint, they would delineate the gods in their own image.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xenophanes/if-oxen-and-horses-and-lions-could-draw-and-paint-they-would/) [Xenophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xenophanes/) > [If oxen and lions had hands and could paint with their hands and produce works of art, as men do, horses would paint the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xenophanes/if-oxen-and-lions-had-hands-and-could-paint-with-their-hands-and/) [Xenophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xenophanes/) > [If horses had Gods, they would look like horses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xenophanes/if-horses-had-gods-they-would-look-like-horses/) [Xenophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xenophanes/) > [Suffering follows a negative thought as the wheels of a cart follow the Oxen that draw it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-dhammapada/suffering-follows-a-negative-thought-as-the-wheels-of-a-cart-follow/) [The Dhammapada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-dhammapada/) > [The gods look in pleasure on penitent sinners.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodor-adorno/the-gods-look-in-pleasure-on-penitent-sinners/) [Theodor Adorno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodor-adorno/) > [“wherever a human being goes, there is a challenge. Be the best man you can, and your gods will look with favor upon you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-michener/wherever-a-human-being-goes-there-is-a-challenge-be-the-best-man-you/) [James A. Michener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-michener/) > [A real artist may create his picture in a lonely desert... gods look over his shoulder; he creates in their company. What does he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudolf-steiner/a-real-artist-may-create-his-picture-in-a-lonely-desert-gods-look/) [Rudolf Steiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudolf-steiner/) > [One thing that I get from a lot of people with 'American Gods' is people saying that they would love some kind of glossary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/one-thing-that-i-get-from-a-lot-of-people-with-american-gods-is/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [Nay, we must think men are not gods, Nor of them look for such observancy As fits the bridal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/nay-we-must-think-men-are-not-gods-nor-of-them-look-for-such/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“The Ethiops say that their gods are flat-nosed and black, While the Thracians say that theirs have blue eyes and red hair. Yet if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xenophanes/the-ethiops-say-that-their-gods-are-flat-nosed-and-black-while-the/) [Xenophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xenophanes/) > [The Ethiopians say that their gods are snub-nosed and black the Thracians that theirs have light blue eyes and red hair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xenophanes/the-ethiopians-say-that-their-gods-are-snub-nosed-and-black-the/) [Xenophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xenophanes/) > [If you were plowing a field, which would you rather use? Two strong oxen or 1024 chickens?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seymour-cray/if-you-were-plowing-a-field-which-would-you-rather-use-two-strong/) [Seymour Cray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seymour-cray/) > [It is true, these Roman Catholics, priests and all, impress me as a people who have fallen far behind the significance of their symbols.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/it-is-true-these-roman-catholics-priests-and-all-impress-me-as-a/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [When the chopper would praise a pine, he will commonly tell you that the one he cut was so big that a yoke of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/when-the-chopper-would-praise-a-pine-he-will-commonly-tell-you-that/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) ## More by Xenophanes > [...for our wisdom is better than the strength of men or of horses. ... nor is it right to prefer strength to excellent wisdom.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xenophanes/for-our-wisdom-is-better-than-the-strength-of-men-or-of-horses-nor-is/) [Xenophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xenophanes/) > [Homer and Hesiod attributed to the gods all things which are disreputable and worthy of blame when done by men; and they told of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xenophanes/homer-and-hesiod-attributed-to-the-gods-all-things-which-are/) [Xenophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xenophanes/) > [If oxen and lions had hands and could paint with their hands and produce works of art, as men do, horses would paint the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xenophanes/if-oxen-and-lions-had-hands-and-could-paint-with-their-hands-and/) [Xenophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xenophanes/) > [For we are all sprung from earth and water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xenophanes/for-we-are-all-sprung-from-earth-and-water/) [Xenophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xenophanes/) > [The sun comes into being each day from little pieces of fire that are collected.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xenophanes/the-sun-comes-into-being-each-day-from-little-pieces-of-fire-that-are/) [Xenophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xenophanes/) > [No human being will ever know the Truth, for even if they happen to say it by chance, they would not even known they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xenophanes/no-human-being-will-ever-know-the-truth-for-even-if-they-happen-to/) [Xenophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xenophanes/) > [If cows and horses had hands and could draw, cows would draw gods that look like cows and horses would draw gods that look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xenophanes/if-cows-and-horses-had-hands-and-could-draw-cows-would-draw-gods-that/) [Xenophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xenophanes/) > [There is one god, greatest among gods and men, who bears no similarity to humans either in shape or thought... but humans believe that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xenophanes/there-is-one-god-greatest-among-gods-and-men-who-bears-no-similarity/) [Xenophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xenophanes/) > [In the beginning the gods did not at all reveal all things clearly to mortals, but by searching men in the course of time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xenophanes/in-the-beginning-the-gods-did-not-at-all-reveal-all-things-clearly-to/) [Xenophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xenophanes/) > [Men always makes gods in their own image.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xenophanes/men-always-makes-gods-in-their-own-image/) [Xenophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xenophanes/) > [But if cattle and horses or lions had hands, or were able to draw with their hands and do the work that men can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xenophanes/but-if-cattle-and-horses-or-lions-had-hands-or-were-able-to-draw-with/) [Xenophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xenophanes/) > [Truly the gods have not from the beginning revealed all things to mortals, but by long seeking, mortals discover what is better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xenophanes/truly-the-gods-have-not-from-the-beginning-revealed-all-things-to/) [Xenophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xenophanes/) > [“The Ethiops say that their gods are flat-nosed and black, While the Thracians say that theirs have blue eyes and red hair. Yet if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xenophanes/the-ethiops-say-that-their-gods-are-flat-nosed-and-black-while-the/) [Xenophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xenophanes/) > [All men begin their learning with Homer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xenophanes/all-men-begin-their-learning-with-homer/) [Xenophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xenophanes/) > [ But without effort \[God\] sets in motion all things by mind and thought. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xenophanes/but-without-effort-god-sets-in-motion-all-things-by-mind-and-thought/) [Xenophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xenophanes/) [Explore all 41 Xenophanes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xenophanes/) ## More Able quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [In the '80s, the way radio was programmed, if you didn't have a hit record you weren't going to be able to make any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huey-lewis/in-the-80s-the-way-radio-was-programmed-if-you-didn-t-have-a-hit/) [Huey Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huey-lewis/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I have that need in me, I want everyone to love me, but I'm embarrassed by that need, so I wanted to cover it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/i-have-that-need-in-me-i-want-everyone-to-love-me-but-i-m-embarrassed/) [Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/) > [Thinking about the things that happened, I don't know any other ball player would could have done what he (Jackie Robinson) did. To be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pee-wee-reese/thinking-about-the-things-that-happened-i-don-t-know-any-other-ball/) [Pee Wee Reese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pee-wee-reese/) > [I wanted to remember in order to be able to return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/i-wanted-to-remember-in-order-to-be-able-to-return/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [Government schools, with your tax money, now discourage the teaching of multiplication tables by rote memorization but teach reading by the 'look-and-say' method which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-perry/government-schools-with-your-tax-money-now-discourage-the-teaching-of/) [Greg Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-perry/) > [I don't know if I would qualify as mainstream. 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And if you grow up in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-browning/what-we-re-supposed-to-do-as-actors-is-be-able-to-portray-real-human/) [Emily Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-browning/) > [The reason that Apple is able to create products like iPad is because we always try to be at the intersection of technology and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-jobs/the-reason-that-apple-is-able-to-create-products-like-ipad-is-because/) [Steve Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-jobs/) > [It was an important period for us, because even though we weren't a "punk band", and what became a model for a punk band,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-mallinder/it-was-an-important-period-for-us-because-even-though-we-weren-t-a/) [Stephen Mallinder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-mallinder/) > [- You look fine. - Right. I look fine. Except I don't, said Zora, tugging sadly at her man's nightshirt. 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