green numbers give full details | back to texts | unexpand this idea
| 9283 | Our ancient beliefs can never be overthrown by subtle arguments |
| Full Idea: Teiresias: We have no use for theological subtleties./ The beliefs we have inherited, as old as time,/ Cannot be overthrown by any argument,/ Nor by the most inventive ingenuity. | |||
| From: Euripides (The Bacchae [c.407 BCE], 201) | |||
| A reaction: [trans. Philip Vellacott (Penguin)] Compare Idea 8243. While very conservative societies have amazing resilience in maintaining traditional beliefs, modern culture eats into them, not directly by argument, but by arguments at fifth remove. |