Human affairs inspire in noble hearts only two feelings-admiration or pity.
Anatole FranceRead
Devout believers are safeguarded in a high degree against the risk of certain neurotic illnesses; their acceptance of the universal neurosis spares them the task of constructing a personal one.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Believers may escape certain psychological issues by accepting shared human struggles.
Anatole France highlights the idea that devout believers, through their faith, find protection from certain psychological ailments. By embracing the common 'neurosis' faced by humanity, they avoid the burden of creating their own individual psychological conflicts, suggesting that collective belief can offer a form of sanctuary for the mind.
Themes
FaithNeurosisPsychologyBeliefMental Health
In practice
Example use cases
In a sermon discussing the comfort of community belief, this quote could be used to illustrate the protective nature of faith.
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