--- 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. Yet if cattle or horses or ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed0/xenophanes-16062_gods_the-ethiops-say-that-their-gods-are-flat_1053831.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. Yet if cattle or horses or lions had hands and could draw, And could sculpt like men, then the horses would draw their gods Like horses, and cattle like cattle; and each they…” quote by Xenophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed0/xenophanes-16062_gods_the-ethiops-say-that-their-gods-are-flat_1053831.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed0/xenophanes-16062_gods_the-ethiops-say-that-their-gods-are-flat_1053831.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed0/xenophanes-16062_gods_the-ethiops-say-that-their-gods-are-flat_1053831.png) > ““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 cattle or horses or lions had hands and could draw, And could sculpt like men, then the horses would draw their gods Like horses, and cattle like cattle; and each they would shape Bodies of gods in the likeness, each kind, of their own.”” [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. People project their own physical traits onto deities, imagining gods in their own image. **In simple terms:** We imagine gods like ourselves. Key Takeaway Recognize bias in how we envision the divine. Themes religion anthropomorphism perception Mood contemplative analytical Type philosophical observational When to use this quote - theology - artistic representation - cross‑cultural comparison - philosophical debate Key Concepts cultural projection identity symbolism Questions to Reflect On - How do our own characteristics shape our spiritual beliefs? - What other cultures imagine their gods? A Different Perspective May overlook diverse conceptions of the divine. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Gods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gods/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/image/) [Red hair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/red-hair/) [Superstition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superstition/) ## Related quotes > [If cattle and horses, or lions, had hands, or were able to draw with their feet and produce the works which men do, horses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xenophanes/if-cattle-and-horses-or-lions-had-hands-or-were-able-to-draw-with/) [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/) > [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/) > [“Ethiopians imagine their gods as black and snub-nosed; Thracians blue-eyed and red-haired. But if horses or lions had hands, or could draw and fashion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/ethiopians-imagine-their-gods-as-black-and-snub-nosed-thracians-blue/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The earth affords a lavish supply of richess of innocent foods, and offers you banquets that involve no bloodshed or slaughter; only beasts satisfy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/the-earth-affords-a-lavish-supply-of-richess-of-innocent-foods-and/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) > [I grew up with horses and cattle, running around on dirt hills with this real sense of space. We didn't have neighbours - well,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-mailman/i-grew-up-with-horses-and-cattle-running-around-on-dirt-hills-with/) [Deborah Mailman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-mailman/) > [“few countries have undergone more remarkable changes, since the year 1535, when the first colonist of La Plata landed with seventy-two horses. The countless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-darwin/few-countries-have-undergone-more-remarkable-changes-since-the-year/) [Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-darwin/) > [Faster than fairies, faster than witches, Bridges and houses, hedges and ditches; And charging along like troops in a battle, All through the meadows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-louis-stevenson/faster-than-fairies-faster-than-witches-bridges-and-houses-hedges-and-2/) [Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/) > [I go about looking at horses and cattle. They eat grass, make love, work when they have to, bear their young. I am sick…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherwood-anderson/i-go-about-looking-at-horses-and-cattle-they-eat-grass-make-love-work/) [Sherwood Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherwood-anderson/) > [“I tell you the truth - for a long, long time these farmers have worked like horses and cattle; and like horses and cattle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shusaku-endo/i-tell-you-the-truth-for-a-long-long-time-these-farmers-have-worked/) [Shusaku Endo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shusaku-endo/) > [“The Dover mail was in its usual genial position that the guard suspected the passengers, the passengers suspected one another and the guard, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/the-dover-mail-was-in-its-usual-genial-position-that-the-guard/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [For example, if ears are back on a horse, it's obviously not very happy. And the eyes show that it's not happy. Now, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/temple-grandin/for-example-if-ears-are-back-on-a-horse-it-s-obviously-not-very-happy/) [Temple Grandin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/temple-grandin/) > [All persons who are enthusiastic that they should transcend the other animals ought to strive with the utmost effort not to pass through a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/all-persons-who-are-enthusiastic-that-they-should-transcend-the-other/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I never said all actors are cattle; what I said was all actors should be treated like cattle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-hitchcock/i-never-said-all-actors-are-cattle-what-i-said-was-all-actors-should/) [Alfred Hitchcock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-hitchcock/) > [So long as they (the Proles) continued to work and breed, their other activities were without importance. Left to themselves, like cattle turned loose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/so-long-as-they-the-proles-continued-to-work-and-breed-their-other/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) ## 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/) > [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/) > [God is one, greatest of gods and men, not like mortals in body or thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xenophanes/god-is-one-greatest-of-gods-and-men-not-like-mortals-in-body-or/) [Xenophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xenophanes/) [Explore all 41 Xenophanes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xenophanes/) ## More Gods quotes > [“Is that what they teach you at the convent? 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." I said cautiously, "Venus is the power that we invoke in spring, in the garden, when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/aeneas-mother-is-a-star-no-a-goddess-i-said-cautiously-venus-is-the/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [“Holy gods. He'd frozen the whole damn lake. He was THAT powerful?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/holy-gods-he-d-frozen-the-whole-damn-lake-he-was-that-powerful/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“The Gods know what it is to be eternal, and they love to toy with mortals who use absolutes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josephine-angelini/the-gods-know-what-it-is-to-be-eternal-and-they-love-to-toy-with/) [Josephine Angelini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josephine-angelini/) > [“It was suffering and incapacity that created all afterworlds - this, and that brief madness of bliss which is experienced only by those who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/it-was-suffering-and-incapacity-that-created-all-afterworlds-this-and/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [“The natural gods of men are other men, mythic or real, who embody manhood in men's eyes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-donovan/the-natural-gods-of-men-are-other-men-mythic-or-real-who-embody/) [Jack Donovan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-donovan/) > [“Every nation is part of the history we inherit, blacks and whites, slaves and gods; we have no other option, embracing each other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/every-nation-is-part-of-the-history-we-inherit-blacks-and-whites/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [Ancient societies had anthropomorphic gods: a huge pantheon expanding into centuries of dynastic drama; fathers and sons, martyred heroes, star-crossed lovers, the deaths of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hiddleston/ancient-societies-had-anthropomorphic-gods-a-huge-pantheon-expanding/) [Tom Hiddleston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hiddleston/) > [It is convenient that there be gods, and, as it is convenient, let us believe there are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/it-is-convenient-that-there-be-gods-and-as-it-is-convenient-let-us/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Astrology reveals the will of the gods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/astrology-reveals-the-will-of-the-gods/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) [Browse all 1,461 Gods quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gods/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The Ethiops say that their gods are flat-nosed and black, While the Thracians say that theirs have blue eyes and red hair. 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