Nature smiles at the union of freedom and equality in our utopias. For freedom and equality are sworn and everlasting enemies, and when one prevails the other dies.
Will DurantRead
In Constantinople, more Christians were slaughtered by Christians in the years 342-343 than by all the persecutions by pagans in the history of Rome.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the internal conflicts among Christians in Constantinople during the early 4th century, suggesting that these internal struggles were more brutal than external persecutions.
Will Durant's quote reflects on a dark chapter in Christian history, revealing that the violence inflicted by Christians on each other during 342-343 in Constantinople surpassed the cumulative violence experienced by Christians at the hands of pagan persecutors throughout Roman history. This statement serves as a reminder of the dangers of sectarian conflict and the hypocrisy that can arise when individuals or groups claim to uphold the same beliefs while committing acts of brutality against one another.
Themes
ChristianityViolencePersecutionHistoryConflict
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a lecture about sectarian violence and its consequences.
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