Quote by W. H. Auden
Dogmatic theological statements are neither logical propositions nor poetic utterances. They are shaggy dog stories; they have a point, but he who tries too hard to get it will miss it.
Summary
This quote highlights the limitations of dogmatic theological statements. It suggests that these statements are not meant to be taken literally or scrutinized through logical reasoning as one would with a proposition, nor are they meant to be explored for their poetic value. Instead, they are likened to shaggy dog stories - tales that may seem complex on the surface but ultimately have a simple underlying point. The quote warns against over-analyzing or overthinking dogmatic statements, as doing so may cause one to overlook their intended meaning or message.
Topics
Religion
By W. H. Auden
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