The Papacy is not other than the Ghost of the deceased Roman Empire, sitting crowned upon the grave thereof.
Interpretation
This quote suggests that the Papacy stands as a continuation of the historical power of the Roman Empire, symbolizing its lingering influence.
Thomas Hobbes articulates the idea that the Papacy, as a religious institution, embodies the residual authority of the Roman Empire. He implies that the Church holds a commanding position over society, much like the Empire did in its prime, thus representing not only a religious authority but a political one that continues to shape governance and culture in its wake.
In practice
In a discussion about the role of the Church in society, this quote can highlight the historical impact of religious institutions.
Baptism is the sacrament of allegiance of them that are to be received into the Kingdom of God, that is to say, into Eternal life, that is to say, to Remission of Sin. For as Eternal life was lost by the committing, so it is recovered by the remitting of men's sins.
Force and fraud are in war the two cardinal virtues.
For it is not the shape, but their use, that makes them angels.
For to accuse requires less eloquence, such is man's nature, than to excuse; and condemnation, than absolution, more resembles justice.
Scientia potentia est, sed parva; quia scientia egregia rara est, nec proinde apparens nisi paucissimis, et in paucis rebus. Scientiae enim ea natura est, ut esse intelligi non possit, nisi ab illis qui sunt scientia praediti.
The end of knowledge is power ... the scope of all speculation is the performing of some action or thing to be done.
We're not thought of in terms of color because we are entertainers. We are there to entertain you not because we are black, white, pink, or green or gay or straight or because we are Catholic or Protestant.
Civilization advances by extending the number of important operations which we can perform without thinking of them.
Remember this: once the human race is established on more than one planet and especially, in more than one solar system, there is no way now imaginable to kill off the human race.
You are the plays you write. How on earth could you write them otherwise? They're projections of your own predilections.
People hear 'Africa' and they think about charitable commercials, or safari tours and animals. It's our responsibility to help change that perspective.
Surely you're not saying that God had to choose between long life and intelligence for human beings! It's there in your own Bible, Carlotta. Two trees - knowledge and life. You eat of the tree of knowledge and you will surely die. You eat of the tree of life and you remain a child in the garden forever, undying.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.