What is the essence of theosophy? It is the fact that man, being himself divine, can know the divinity whose life he shares. As an inevitable corollary to this supreme truth comes the fact of the brotherhood of man.
Annie BesantRead
For centuries the leaders of Christian thought spoke of women as a necessary evil, and the greatest saints of the Church are those who despise women the most.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote critiques the historical perception of women within Christianity, highlighting a paradox of reverence and disdain.
Annie Besant's statement reflects on the long-standing attitudes held by Christian leaders towards women, suggesting that these attitudes often depict women as burdensome or sinful. It raises questions about the contradictions within religious doctrines where revered figures simultaneously held contempt for the female gender, prompting deeper discussions on gender roles, morality, and the influence of religious thought on societal views of women.
Themes
WomenReligionPhilosophyGenderChristianitySociety
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on gender equity, I quoted Annie Besant to illustrate the historical context of women's roles in religion.
More from Annie Besant
All quotes βNo durable things are built on violent passion. Nature grows her plants in silence and in darkness, and only when they have become strong do they put their heads above the ground.
Annie BesantRead
Death consists, indeed, in a repeated process of unrobing, or unsheathing. The immortal part of man shakes off from itself, one after the other, its outer casings, and - as the snake from its skin, the butterfly from its chrysalis - emerges from one after another, passing into a higher state of consciousness.
Annie BesantRead
Let Indian history be set side by side with Europe history with what there is of the latter century by century and let us see whether India need blush at the comparison.
Annie BesantRead
My own life in India, since I came to it in 1893 to make it my home, has been devoted to one purpose, to give back to India her ancient freedom.
Annie BesantRead
Knowledge is essential to conquest; only according to our ignorance are we helpless. Thought creates character. Character can dominate conditions. Will creates circumstances and environment.
Annie BesantRead
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This life in us; however low it flickers or fiercely burns, is still a divine flame which no man dare presume to put out, be his motives never so humane and enlightened; To suppose otherwise is to countenance a death-wish; Either life is always and in all circumstances sacred, or intrinsically of no account; it is inconceivable that it should be in some cases the one, and in some the other.
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The possible ranks higher than the actual.
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