(March 16, 2014 at 1:29 pm)Minimalist Wrote:(March 16, 2014 at 6:12 am)DarkHorse Wrote: "Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful."
- Unknown
Quote: The policy of the emperors and the senate, as far as it concerned religion, was happily seconded by the reflections of the enlightened, and by the habits of the superstitious, part of their subjects. The various modes of worship, which prevailed in the Roman world, were all considered by the people, as equally true; by the philosopher, as equally false; and by the magistrate, as equally useful. And thus toleration produced not only mutual indulgence, but even religious concord.
Edward Gibbon, Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Chapter II
Thanks!