Quote by W. Winwood Reade
A religion so cheerless, a philosophy so sorrowful, could never have succeeded with the masses of mankind if presented only as a system of metaphysics. Buddhism owed its success to its catholic spirit and its beautiful morality.
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Summary
This quote suggests that Buddhism, with its focus on metaphysics, could not have appealed to the masses if it solely presented itself as a philosophical system filled with sorrow and cheerlessness. Instead, Buddhism's success is attributed to its inclusive nature and the beauty of its moral teachings. Its ability to cater to a broad range of people and the ethical values it promotes played a crucial role in attracting followers.