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Devout believers are safeguarded in a high degree against the risk of certain neurotic illnesses; their acceptance of the universal neurosis spares them the task of constructing a personal one.
Anatole France
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Believers may escape certain psychological issues by accepting shared human struggles.

Anatole France highlights the idea that devout believers, through their faith, find protection from certain psychological ailments. By embracing the common 'neurosis' faced by humanity, they avoid the burden of creating their own individual psychological conflicts, suggesting that collective belief can offer a form of sanctuary for the mind.

Themes

FaithNeurosisPsychologyBeliefMental Health

In practice

Example use cases

In a sermon discussing the comfort of community belief, this quote could be used to illustrate the protective nature of faith.

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