There is a superstition in avoiding superstition, when men think they do best if they go farthest from the superstition,—by which means they often take away the good as well as the bad.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
The superstition of science scoffs at the superstition of faith.
—James Anthony Froude (1818–94) British Historian, Novelist, Biographer, Editor
The greatest burden in the world is superstition, not only of ceremonies in the church, but of imaginary and scarecrow sins at home.
—John Milton (1608–74) English Poet, Civil Servant, Scholar, Debater
We find many things to which the prohibition of them constitutes the only temptation.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
There is no such thing as an omen. Destiny does not send us heralds. She is too wise or too cruel for that.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Superstition is the poetry of life. It is inherent in man’s nature; and when we think it is wholly eradicated, it takes refuge in the strangest holes and corners, whence it peeps out all at once, as soon, as it can do it with safety.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
The worst superstition is to consider our own tolerable.
—Doris Lessing (1919–2013) British Novelist, Poet
The superstition in which we grew up,
Though we may recognize it, does not lose
Its power over us—Not all are free
Who make mock of their chains.
—Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (1729–81) German Writer, Philosopher
It is the customary fate of new truths to begin as heresies and to end as superstitions.
—Thomas Henry Huxley (1825–95) English Biologist
Superstition, bigotry and prejudice, ghosts though they are, cling tenaciously to life; they are shades armed with tooth and claw. They must be grappled with unceasingly, for it is a fateful part of human destiny that it is condemned to wage perpetual war against ghosts. A shade is not easily taken by the throat and destroyed.
—Victor Hugo (1802–85) French Novelist
Religion worships God, while superstition profanes that worship.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Weakness, fear, melancholy, together with ignorance, are the true sources of superstition. Hope, pride, presumption, a warm indignation, together with ignorance, are the true sources of enthusiasm.
—David Hume (1711–76) Scottish Philosopher, Historian
That the corruption of the best thing produces the worst, is grown into a maxim, and is commonly proved, among other instances, by the pernicious effects of superstition and enthusiasm, the corruptions of true religion.
—David Hume (1711–76) Scottish Philosopher, Historian
I think we cannot too strongly attack superstition, which is the disturber of society; nor too highly respect genuine religion, which is the support of it.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–78) Swiss-born French Philosopher
It were better to have no opinion of God at all, than such an opinion, as is unworthy of him. For the one is unbelief, the other is contumely; and certainly superstition is the reproach of the Deity.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
There is in superstition a senseless fear of God.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
Superstition always inspires bitterness; religion, grandeur of mind.—The superstitious man raises beings inferior to himself to deities.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741–1801) Swiss Theologian, Poet
Superstition is a senseless fear of God; religion the intelligent and pious worship of the deity.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
We would be a lot safer if the Government would take its money out of science and put it into astrology and the reading of palms. Only in superstition is there hope. If you want to become a friend of civilization, then become an enemy of the truth and a fanatic for harmless balderdash.
—Kurt Vonnegut (1922–2007) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
We may be through with the past, but the past is not through with us. Ideas of the Stone Age exist side by side with the latest scientific thought. Only a fraction of mankind has emerged from the Dark Ages, and in the most lucid brains, as Logan Pearsall Smith has said, we come upon nests of woolly caterpillars. Seemingly sane men entrust their wealth to stargazers and their health to witch doctors. Giant planes throb through the stratosphere, but half their passengers are wearing magic amulets and are protected from harm by voodoo incantations. Hotels boast of express elevators and a telephone in every room, but omit thirteen from all floor and room numbers lest their guests be ill at ease.
—Bergen Evans
Mankind are an incorrigible race. Give them but bugbears and idols—it is all that they ask; the distinctions of right and wrong, of truth and falsehood, of good and evil, are worse than indifferent to them.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
Superstition is only the fear of belief, while religion is the confidence.
—Marguerite Gardiner, Countess of Blessington (1789–1849) Irish Novelist, Writer
Superstition is the poetry of life, so that it does not injure the poet to be superstitious.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Fear is the main source of superstition, and one of the main sources of cruelty. To conquer fear is th beginning of wisdom.
—Bertrand A. Russell (1872–1970) British Philosopher, Mathematician, Social Critic
I worry that, especially as the Millennium edges nearer, pseudo-science and superstition will seem year by year more tempting, the siren song of unreason more sonorous and attractive.
—Carl Sagan (1934–96) American Astronomer
No one is so thoroughly superstitious as the godless man. Life and death to him are haunted grounds, filled with goblin forms of vague and shadowy dread.
—Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811–96) American Abolitionist, Author
Open biographical volumes wherever you please, and the man who has no faith in religion is the one who hath faith in a nightmare and ghosts.
—Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803–73) British Novelist, Poet, Politician
Superstition is an unreasoning fear of God.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
Look how the world’s poor people are amazed at apparitions, signs, and prodigies!
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
I had only one superstition. I made sure to touch all the bases when I hit a home run.
—Babe Ruth (1895–1948) American Baseball Legend