A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within.
Ariel DurantRead
Diabolical error decks itself out with ease in lying colors with some appearance of truth, so that the force of pronouncement is corrupted by a very brief addition or change, and the confession of faith which should have resulted in salvation, by a subtle transition leads to death!
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote warns that deceit can disguise itself as truth, leading to destructive outcomes.
Pope Clement XIII's quote emphasizes the dangers of misrepresentation and deceit, particularly in matters of faith and belief. It suggests that even minor alterations to truth can lead individuals away from salvation, illustrating how easily one can be misled by seemingly credible falsehoods that superficially appear truthful. This serves as a cautionary reminder to remain vigilant and discerning in our pursuits of truth and understanding.
Themes
DeceitTruthFaithSalvationCaution
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a sermon discussing the importance of genuine faith and the dangers of false teachings.
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