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Provided that any of those neighbours sing out of tune or have boots that squeak, or double chins, or odd clothes, the patient will quite easily believe that their religion must therefore be somehow ridiculous.
C. S. Lewis
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Interpretation

What this quote means

People often judge the validity of beliefs based on the flaws of their proponents.

C. S. Lewis suggests that individuals may dismiss the credibility of a religion or belief system when they see imperfections in its followers. This reflects a human tendency to equate the validity of ideas with the personal characteristics of those who espouse them, rather than critically examining the beliefs themselves.

Themes

JudgmentBeliefPerceptionReligionHumanity

In practice

Example use cases

This quote could be used in a discussion on religious tolerance.

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The instrument through which you see God is your whole self. And if a man's self is not kept clean and bright, his glimpse of God will be blurred
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Quote by C. S. Lewis | QuoteProject