Religion is so frequently a source of confusion in political life, and so frequently dangerous to democracy, precisely because it introduces absolutes into the realm of relative values.
Reinhold NiebuhrRead
Perhaps the most significant moral characteristic of a nation is its hypocrisy.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that hypocrisy is a prevalent moral flaw within nations.
Reinhold Niebuhr's quote highlights the idea that hypocrisy is a critical moral issue that can define a nation's character. It implies that often, societies and governments fail to live up to their proclaimed values and principles, leading to a disparity between what they profess and what they practice, thus questioning the integrity of their moral compass.
Themes
HypocrisyMoralityNationIntegrityValues
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used during a lecture on political ethics.
More from Reinhold Niebuhr
All quotes →The tendency to claim God as an ally for our partisan value and ends is the source of all religious fanaticism.
Reinhold NiebuhrRead
The mastery of nature is vainly believed to be an adequate substitute for self mastery.
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All you earnest young men out to save the world. . . please, have a laugh.
Reinhold NiebuhrRead
Forgiveness is the final form of love.
Reinhold NiebuhrRead
God, give me grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed.
Reinhold NiebuhrRead
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