quoted in Arvidsson, Stefan (2006), Aryan Idols: Indo-European Mythology as Ideology and Science, translated by Sonia Wichmann, Chicago and London: The University of Chicago Press.96
“
Thus, the Semitic race is recognizable almost solely through negative characteristics: it has neither mythology, nor epic, nor science, nor philosophy, nor fiction, nor plastic arts, nor civil life; in sum an absence of complexity, of nuance, an exclusive sentiment of unity.
— Ernest Renan
What It Means
This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "Thus, the Semitic race is recognizable almost solely through negative characteristics: it has neither mythology, nor epic, nor science, nor philosophy, nor fiction, nor plastic arts, nor civil life; in sum an absence of complexity, of nuance, an exclusive sentiment of unity." in the context of "quoted in Arvidsson, Stefan (2006), Aryan Idols: Indo-European Mythology as Ideology and Science, translated by Sonia Wichmann, Chicago and London: The University of Chicago Press.96" to mean that wisdom is timeless.
Source: Wikiquote: "Ernest Renan" (Quotes)
The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
Tags
About Ernest Renan
Ernest Renan (February 28, 1823 – October 12, 1892) was a French philosopher, playwright, historian, and writer.
About Ernest Renan
Ernest Renan (February 28, 1823 – October 12, 1892) was a French philosopher, playwright, historian, and writer.
View all quotes →