"Educate men without religion and you make of them but clever devils"
About this Quote
The statement from the Duke of Wellington reflects a perspective that regards religion as an essential counterpart to education in forming a person’s character. The underlying assumption is that intellectual knowledge and skills alone are not sufficient for moral or ethical conduct. Without the moral compass provided by religion, educated individuals may simply become more adept at advancing their own interests, potentially at the expense of others or societal well-being.
The phrase “clever devils” is particularly evocative; it suggests that intellectual capability, when not guided by religious morals, can lead to cunning, manipulation, and the pursuit of power without conscience. It underscores a fear that intellect, unmoored from a sense of higher purpose or virtue, does not inherently lead to good but can just as readily be directed toward selfish or harmful ends. Education, in this view, amplifies a person's abilities, but if those abilities are not restrained or directed by ethical principles, they can cause even greater harm.
The quote also reflects the values and concerns of an era where religion was often seen as not just a personal belief system, but as a foundational pillar of societal order and ethical behavior. It implies that religion instills a fear of divine judgement or an allegiance to higher moral laws, acting as a check on the excesses of ambition or pride that might otherwise be amplified through education.
However, such a statement is open to debate, as it assumes moral rectitude arises from religion alone, neglecting other philosophical, cultural, and experiential sources of ethical behavior. Nonetheless, the core message calls attention to the potential dangers of valuing knowledge and accomplishment without equal attention paid to moral development, whether that morality arises from religion or elsewhere.
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