Quote by Emile Durkheim
It is a quite remarkable fact that the great religions of the most civilized peoples are more deeply fraught with sadness than the simpler beliefs of earlier societies. This certainly does not mean that the current of pessimism is eventually to submerge the other, but it proves that it does not lose ground and that it does not seem destined to disappear.
Summary
This quote suggests that as society advances and becomes more civilized, the major religions tend to contain a greater sense of sadness or pessimism compared to the simpler beliefs of earlier societies. The quote acknowledges that this does not mean pessimism will overpower other aspects, but it indicates that it remains strong and is unlikely to fade away. Essentially, it reflects on the enduring presence of sadness or negative perspectives within the more complex religious frameworks of civilized societies.