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It seems to me that it was well said by Madama Serenissima, and insisted on by your reverence, that the Holy Scripture cannot err, and that the decrees therein contained are absolutely true and inviolable. But I should have in your place added that, though Scripture cannot err, its expounders and interpreters are liable to err in many ways; and one error in particular would be most grave and most frequent, if we always stopped short at the literal signification of the words.
Galileo Galilei
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote emphasizes the infallibility of Holy Scripture while acknowledging that human interpretation can lead to errors, particularly when taken literally.

In this quote, Galileo Galilei articulates a critical perspective on the interpretation of Scripture. While he affirms that the text of the Holy Scripture is without error, he warns against the fallibility of its interpreters, who may misinterpret its meanings, especially if they adhere strictly to a literal interpretation without considering the broader context. This observation serves as a reminder that understanding complex truths often requires a deeper exploration beyond surface meanings.

Themes

ScriptureInterpretationTruthErrorPhilosophy

In practice

Example use cases

During a lecture on religious texts, one might use this quote to illustrate the challenges of interpretation.

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