Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson
the mystic must be steadily told, All that you say is just as true without the tedious use of that symbol as with it. Let us have a little algebra, instead of this trite rhetoric, universal signs, instead of these village symbols, and we shall both be gainers. The history of hierarchies seems to show that all religious error consisted in making the symbol too stark and solid, and was at last nothing but an excess of the organ of language.
Summary
This quote criticizes the use of symbols in conveying truth, arguing that they are unnecessary and often lead to religious misunderstandings. The author suggests replacing symbols with algebra and universal signs, promoting a more rational and concise language. They claim that throughout history, religious errors have occurred when symbols become excessively rigid, emphasizing that such errors arise from an abuse of language. Therefore, the mystic or spiritual seeker would benefit from letting go of symbols and embracing a more direct and logical approach to understanding truth.
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