Let us pardon him his hope of a vain apocalypse, and of a second coming in great triumph upon the clouds of heaven. Perhaps these were the errors of others rather than his own; and if it be true that he himself shared the general illusion, what matters it, since his dream rendered him strong against death, and sustained him in a struggle to which he might otherwise have been unequal?

Summary

This quote suggests that even though someone may hold beliefs that may be considered misguided or fantastical, such as a belief in an impending apocalypse or a triumphant return, it is not necessary to condemn them. Perhaps these beliefs were the result of external influences, not necessarily their own fault. If it is true that they also shared in these illusions, it does not matter because these dreams and beliefs give them strength to face death and overcome challenges that they may have otherwise been unable to handle.

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