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William Robertson Smith

William Robertson Smith Quotes

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William Robertson Smith (November 8, 1846 - March 31, 1894) was a Scottish scholar known for his work in the fields of religion, mythology, and folklore. He is considered one of the pioneers of religious anthropology for his studies on the origins and development of religion.

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All Men Religion Religious Ideas Individual Certain May People Ritual Worshippers Common Deities Dissolution Force Form Myth Mythology Nations Relation Rite

Famous William Robertson Smith Quotes

“But, strictly speaking, this mythology was no essential part of ancient religion, for it had no sacred sanction and no binding force on the worshippers.”

Religion Force Essentials Sacred Ancient Mythology Sanctions Binding Aquariums Worshippers

Book:Religion of the Semites (Ppr)

Source: Religion of the Semites (Ppr)

“In better times the religion of the tribe or state has nothing in common with the private and foreign superstitions or magical rites that savage terror may dictate to the individual.”

May States Religion Individual Common Terror Superstitions Fierce Savages Tribes Rite

Book:Religion of the Semites (Ppr)

Source: Religion of the Semites (Ppr)

“We are so accustomed to think of religion as a thing between individual men and God that we can hardly enter into the idea of a religion in which a whole nation in its national organisation appears as the religious unit.”

Thinking Men Ideas Whole Religion Individual Nations Religious Units Accustomed Organisation

Book:The Prophets of Israel: and their place in history to the close of the Eighth Century B.C.

Source: The Prophets of Israel: and their place in history to the close of the Eighth Century B.C.

“Thus a man was born into a fixed relation to certain gods as surely as he was born into a relation to his fellow-men; and his religion... was simply one side of the general scheme of conduct prescribed for him by his position as a member of society.”

Men Certain Religion Sides Born Position Members Relation Fellows Fixed Schemes Fellow Man

Book:Religion of the Semites (Ppr)

Source: Religion of the Semites (Ppr)

“The dissolution of the nation destroys the national religion, and dethrones the national deity.”

Religion Nations Deities Dissolution

Book:The Old Testament in the Jewish Church: Twelve Lectures on Biblical Criticism

Source: The Old Testament in the Jewish Church: Twelve Lectures on Biblical Criticism

“Religion did not exist for the saving of souls but for the preservation and welfare of society, and in all that was necessary to this end every man had to take his part, or break with the domestic and political community to which he belonged.”

Men Soul Ends Political Religion Community Break Every Man Saving Welfare Preservation

Book:Religion of the Semites (Ppr)

Source: Religion of the Semites (Ppr)

“In all the antique religions, mythology takes the place of dogma; that is, the sacred lore of priests and people... and these stories afford the only explanation that is offered of the precepts of religion and the prescribed rules of ritual.”

People Stories Religion Religious Sacred Mythology Explanation Priests Ritual Dogma Antiques

Book:Religion of the Semites (Ppr)

Source: Religion of the Semites (Ppr)

About the Author

Born: November 8, 1846
Died: March 31, 1894
Known for: Author
Quotes: 16

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Men Religion Religious Ideas Individual Certain May People Ritual Worshippers Common Deities Dissolution Force Form Myth Mythology Nations Relation Rite

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Books & Sources

Religion of the Semites (Ppr)Related source material

Lectures on the Religion of the Semites: First Series. The Fundamental InstitutionsRelated source material

The Old Testament in the Jewish Church: Twelve Lectures on Biblical CriticismRelated source material

The Prophets of Israel: and their place in history to the close of the Eighth Century B.C.Related source material

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