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I do not think our successes can compete with those of Lourdes. There are so many more people who believe in the miracles of the Blessed Virgin than in the existence of the unconscious.
Sigmund Freud
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Freud contrasts belief in religious miracles with belief in psychological concepts, suggesting the power of faith over science.

In this quote, Freud examines the different levels of belief that people hold, particularly contrasting the widespread faith in religious miracles, such as those attributed to the Virgin Mary, with the more complex and often less understood concept of the unconscious mind in psychology. This highlights a tension between religious faith and scientific inquiry, suggesting that while many people find comfort and meaning in spiritual beliefs, these may overshadow the more abstract and less tangible ideas that psychology offers about human nature.

Themes

BeliefFaithPsychologyReligionMiraclesScience

In practice

Example use cases

During a sermon, one might use this quote to illustrate the power of faith in miracles over scientific understanding.

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