What is wrong with priests and popes is that instead of being apostles and saints, they are nothing but empirics who say I know instead of I am learning, and pray for credulity and inertia as wise men pray for skepticism and activity.

Summary

This quote criticizes priests and popes for their lack of humility and their refusal to embrace the spirit of learning and growth. Rather than embodying the qualities of apostles and saints, they are characterized as mere observers who claim to know everything without being open to the idea of continuous learning. The quote suggests that they prefer blind faith and lethargy over intellectual curiosity and action. The comparison between their pursuit of credulity and inertia to the wise men's pursuit of skepticism and activity implies a condemnation of their mindset and implies that true wisdom lies in being skeptical and proactive.

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