quotes for superstition essay

• Quote of the Day
• Picture Quotes

Superstitions Quotes

Standart top banner.

We do not destroy religion by destroying superstition.

A belief which leaves no place for doubt is not a belief; it is a superstition.

Superstition is great enemy of man but bigotry is worse.

Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature.

Superstition is foolish, childish, primitive and irrational - but how much does it cost you to knock on wood?

Fear is the main source of superstition, and one of the main sources of cruelty. To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.

Faith must have adequate evidence, else it is mere superstition.

A superstition is a premature explanation that overstays its time.

When the human race has once acquired a superstition, nothing short of death is ever likely to remove it.

I had only one superstition. I made sure to touch all the bases when I hit a home run.

The only foes that threaten America are the enemies at home, and these are ignorance, superstition and incompetence.

History warns us that it is the customary fate of new truths to begin as heresies and to end as superstitions.

Laws should be made, not against quacks but against superstition.

Superstition! that horrid incubus which dwelt in darkness, shunning the light, with all its racks, and poison chalices, and foul sleeping draughts, is passing away without return. Religion cannot pass away. The burning of a little straw may hide the stars of the sky; but the stars are there and will reappear.

There are people who think that honesty is always the best policy. This is a superstition. There are times when the appearance of it is worth six of it.

The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable.

The religious superstition is encouraged by means of the institution of churches, processions, monuments, festivities....The so-called clergy stupefy the masses....They befog the people and keep them in an eternal condition of stupefaction.

We would be a lot safer if the Government would take its money out of science and put it into astrology and the reading of palms. I used to think that science would save us, and science certainly tried. But we can't stand any more tremendous explosions, either for or against democracy.

May [our Declaration of Independence] be to the world, what I believe it will be (to some parts sooner, to others later, but finally to all), the signal of arousing men to burst the chains under which monkish ignorance and superstition had persuaded them to bind themselves, and to assume the blessings and security of self-government... All eyes are opened, or opening, to the rights of man.

Death approaches, which is always impending like the stone over Tantalus: then comes superstition with which he who is imbued can never have peace of mind.

The office of reformer of the superstitions of a nation is ever dangerous.

Count Hermann Keyserling once said truly that the greatest American superstition was the belief in facts.

Mankind are an incorrigible race. Give them but bugbears and idols -- it is all that they ask; the distinctions of right and wrong, of truth and falsehood, of good and evil, are worse than indifferent to them.

We boast our emancipation from many superstitions; but if we have broken any idols, it is through a transfer of idolatry.

last adds STANDART BOTTOM BANNER

Send report.

• The author didn't say that
• There is a mistake in the text of this quote
• The quote belongs to another author
• Other error

Top Authors

Get Social with AzQuotes

Follow AzQuotes on Facebook, Twitter and Google+. Every day we present the best quotes! Improve yourself, find your inspiration, share with friends

SIDE STANDART BANNER

• Javascript and RSS feeds
• WordPress plugin
• ES Version AZQuotes.ES
• Submit Quotes
• Privacy Policy

Login with your account

Create account, find your account.

81 Superstition Essay Topics & Examples

Are you nervous when seeing a broken mirror? Maybe it’s time to write an essay about superstitions!

🏆 A+ Superstition Essay Examples

📌 best superstitions essay topics, 👍 controversial topics about superstition, ❓ questions about superstitions.

A superstition is any practice or belief that is considered to be irrational or attributed to magic. Most of the superstitions are deeply rooted in regional and national cultures. Though opposed by religion and science throughout history, superstitions have survived to this day. In your superstition essay, you might want to focus on its meaning or the negative effects. Another idea is to talk about various superstitions from around the world. Finally, you can tell the reader about opposition to superstition. Whether you need to write a 250-words essay or a research paper, our article will be helpful. It contains superstition essay examples together with best title ideas and topics about superstitions.

• Symbolism and Superstition in Architecture and Design It is this use of symbolism as a part of architectural aesthetics and design that will be focused on in this paper within the context of superstitions from different cultures and how they influence the […]
• Religion and Superstition in Twain’s “Tom Sawyer” Two belief systems influence the character of Tom Sawyer in The Adventure of Tom Sawyer religious dogma and superstition. Tom’s religious beliefs create the root of his superstitious beliefs.
• Superstitions: The Behavioral Approach In this context, the appearance of the superstition phenomena as a result of such conditioning can be accurately explained by the behavioral approach.
• Chinese New Year Superstition as a Reflection of Our Hopes and Fears They vary from one part of the world to another, and bring an almost unique flavor to the region that they belong to, shaping the lives of its people and their sense of culture.
• “Superstitions: The Irrational Beliefs That Influence Our Behavior” by William Kelly Kelly explains that superstition entails objects that are deemed to result in good luck, deeds that tend to inspire good luck or bad luck and actions that can lead to unpleasant fortune.
• Death Lore: Texas Rituals, Superstitions, and Legends of the Hereafter Further, it links the same to the beliefs and values of the people of the state of Texas. It has not been able to address some of the aspects that encompass the Texas Death lore.
• Operant Conditioning and Superstition
• Does the Use of Superstition in Sports Increase With an Increase in Competition
• Julius Caesar: Superstition, Sacrifice, Suffering And Sorrow
• The Role of Superstition in Things Fall Apart, a Novel by Chinua Achebe
• The Role of Superstition in Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
• Superstition on Witches That Exist in a Society of Strong Christian in The Crucible by Arthur Miller
• The Incorporation of Superstition, Omens, and the Theme of Fate in Julius Caesar, a Play by William Shakespeare
• Superstition And Religion Within The Medical World
• Dracula and Science, Superstition, Religion, and Xenophobia
• Medieval Medicine, Illogical And Superstition
• Superstition and Witchcraft as the Central Point in the Salem Witch Trials
• Superstition’s Symbolic Spirit in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
• Supernatural And Superstition By Matthew Lewis
• The Symbolism of Superstition Used by Mark Twain in the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
• The Power of Superstition and Hearsay to Distort the Truth in The Crucible, a Play by Arthur Miller
• Witches and Superstition During Elizabethan Age
• Superstition and Symbolysm in Richard Bach’s Story Jonathan Livingston Seagull
• Why People Believe Weird Things: Pseudoscience, Superstition and other Confusions of Our Time by M. Sherman
• Religion, Superstition & Witchcraft in Early Modern Europe
• Superstition During the Renaissance
• Compulsory Schooling Laws and Formation of Beliefs: Education, Religion and Superstition
• Wedding Traditions And Superstition : Outdoor Wedding Venues
• It Is About Believing: Superstition and Religiosity
• Superstition and Why People Cling to These Beliefs
• Themes of Superstition, Manipulation and Honor in Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
• Superstition, Conspicuous Spending, and Housing Markets: Evidence from Singapore
• Superstition And Tradition And How It Impacts Our Society
• Witchcraft And Superstition In Medieval Europe
• The Theory Of Superstition And Science
• Superstition and Witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts in The Crucible
• Superstition And The Western World ‘s Cultural History
• What Is the Role of the Narrator in Blood Brothers and How Does He Link to Superstition
• Our Superstitious Minds: The Power of Superstition
• Understanding the Psychology of Superstition
• Superstition Is The Belief Of Supernatural Causality
• Magic and Superstition in the Middle Ages
• Superstition and the Witch-hunts in Early Modern Britain
• Superstition In Shakespeares The Tragedy of Julius Caesar
• Superstition On The Face Of Logic By Dr. Mortimer
• The Power of Superstition in Distorting the Truth in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible
• The Epitome of Superstition in the Crucible by Arthur Miller
• Superstition Of Science, Religion, Harmful Superstition
• The Effect of Superstition on Health: Evidence from the Taiwanese Ghost Month
• Environment Plant Life and Superstition in Medicinal Folk Practice of the Scottish Highlands
• Science Versus Superstition in “Dracula”
• What Are the Superstitions and Beliefs in India?
• What Superstitions Bring Good Luck?
• Where Do Superstitions Come From?
• What’s the Meaning of Superstitions?
• What Is the Most Superstitious Country?
• What Is the Relationship Between Superstitions and Religion?
• How Do Superstitions Affect Our Lives?
• What Is the Difference Between Scientific Knowledge and Superstitions?
• Can Education Bring Change in Superstitions?
• How Do Superstitions Affect Society?
• What Is the Connection Between the Use of Dialect and the Portrayal of Superstitions?
• What Is the Difference Between Faith and Superstitions?
• What Is the Meaning of Superstition Belief?
• Why Do People Believe In Superstitions?
• What Are Superstitions in Sociology?
• How Does Education Help Eliminate Superstitions?
• Are Superstitions Still Relevant in Contemporary Society?
• How Do Superstitions Impact Our Lifestyles?
• What Is the Difference Between Superstitions and Indigenous Knowledge?
• What Are the Superstitious Beliefs?
• What Are Superstition Behaviors?
• What Is the Main Idea of Superstitions?
• How Do Superstitions Differ From Religion?
• What Are Indian Superstitions?
• What Are Marriage Traditions and Superstitions of Different Cultures?
• Is It Reasonable to Believe In Superstitions?
• What Are Superstitions in Psychology?
• What Are the Disadvantages of Superstitions’ Beliefs?
• What Is the Most Superstitions Country?
• What Is an Example of the Word Superstitions?
• Salem Witch Trials Research Topics
• Huckleberry Finn Essay Topics
• Buddhism Topics
• Dreaming Essay Titles
• Greek Mythology Titles
• Meditation Questions
• Spiritual Essay Titles
• Thanksgiving Research Ideas
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, October 26). 81 Superstition Essay Topics & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/superstition-essay-topics/

"81 Superstition Essay Topics & Examples." IvyPanda , 26 Oct. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/topic/superstition-essay-topics/.

IvyPanda . (2023) '81 Superstition Essay Topics & Examples'. 26 October.

IvyPanda . 2023. "81 Superstition Essay Topics & Examples." October 26, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/superstition-essay-topics/.

1. IvyPanda . "81 Superstition Essay Topics & Examples." October 26, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/superstition-essay-topics/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "81 Superstition Essay Topics & Examples." October 26, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/superstition-essay-topics/.

Essay On Superstition

500 words essay on superstition.

Ever since a long time, we have seen man believe in some kind of power unseen. Even though they can’t see it, they feel it is present and working. This is what gives rise to superstitions. They are unreasonable and irrational but they still exist all over the world. Through essay on superstition, we will go through it in detail.

Origin of Superstitions

The man started to believe in superstitions when he got a feeling that humans are at the mercy of natural elements. Similarly, some superstitions were also created because of social values. As a result, people worship forces of nature for a long time.

The Greeks and Pagans used to worship elements of nature in the form of Gods and Goddesses. Same is the case with Indian tradition. People continue to worship the sun, moon, stars, planets, plants and more believing these things have the power to influence our lives.

You might have heard ‘it is because of the impact of some evil star’ and more when a disease overtakes or disaster strikes. Even the people in the West have been believing in them. You will find instances in Shakespeare’s plays where he includes things like omens, witches and more.

In fact, ever since a long time till date, people still consider the number 13 to be unlucky. Similarly, salt spilling over the dinner table is also an ill-omen. In India , people consider the black cat crossing the way to be unlucky. Similar is the case of an owl hooting or a dog wailing.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

India and Superstitions

India has a long history of superstitions. There are many superstitions which people in this country follow. When someone sneezes during the time of departure, people consider it unlucky.

Similarly, when you hear long mewing of a cat, people consider it a bad omen. Alternatively, offering curd before the start of any journey is auspicious. A group which follows superstitions a lot are students appearing for an examination.

Weeks before exams, the visit to temples starts to grow. Some of the students also get a taveez with a lucky stone to help them out. Further, some students place their stationery for the exam in the prayer room.

Most common superstitions include not cutting nails at night, not using the broom after sunset, not opening the scissors without cutting anything, not looking at oneself in a broken mirror and many more.

Even some political leaders in India believe in superstitions. For instance, they wait for an auspicious day to file their nomination or take an oath. In other words, even in the highest places, people do follow superstitions.

Conclusion of the Essay on Superstition

If we look at it closely, there is no logic as such behind the beliefs in superstitions. However, they have grown age-old and despite all the scientific advancement, they are not going anywhere soon. However, it is better to subject ourselves less to them otherwise each moment of our life will be on the edge.

FAQ of Essay on Superstition

Question 1: What are some superstitions followed in India?

Answer 1: In India, people consider the black cat crossing the way to be unlucky. Similar is the case of an owl hooting or a dog wailing. Indians also offer curd before the start of a journey.

Question 2: What is the importance of superstition?

Answer 2: For several people, engaging with superstitious behaviours offers a sense of control and eases anxiety. This is why levels of superstition rise at times of stress and angst. This is mostly the case during times of economic crisis and social uncertainty notably wars and conflicts.

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

• Travelling Essay
• Picnic Essay
• Our Country Essay
• My Parents Essay
• Essay on Favourite Personality
• Essay on Memorable Day of My Life
• Essay on Knowledge is Power
• Essay on Gurpurab
• Essay on My Favourite Season
• Essay on Types of Sports

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Download the App

Essay on Superstitions

Students are often asked to write an essay on Superstitions in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Superstitions

What are superstitions.

Superstitions are beliefs that are not based on facts or reason. They are often passed down from one generation to the next, and they can vary from culture to culture. Some common superstitions include the belief that breaking a mirror will bring bad luck, that walking under a ladder will cause bad luck, and that finding a four-leaf clover will bring good luck.

Why Do People Believe in Superstitions?

There are a few reasons why people believe in superstitions. Some people believe that superstitions are true because they have seen them happen in their own lives. Others believe that superstitions are a way to control their environment. By following superstitions, people feel like they can protect themselves from bad luck or bring about good luck.

Are Superstitions Harmful?

Superstitions are not always harmful. In some cases, they can be a source of comfort and reassurance. However, some superstitions can be harmful. For example, the belief that it is bad luck to walk under a ladder can lead to people avoiding ladders altogether, which can make it difficult to get work done.

Superstitions are a part of human culture. They can be a source of comfort and reassurance, but they can also be harmful. It is important to be aware of the potential dangers of superstitions and to make choices that are based on facts and reason, not on superstition.

250 Words Essay on Superstitions

Examples of superstitions.

There are many different superstitions. For instance, some people think that breaking a mirror will bring seven years of bad luck. Others believe that finding a four-leaf clover will bring good luck. These ideas have been passed down through generations.

People often believe in superstitions because they offer a sense of control over the unknown. When something unexplainable happens, it’s comforting for some to think there’s a reason behind it, even if it’s based on superstition. Also, tradition plays a big role. If families or communities have believed in certain superstitions for a long time, it can be hard for individuals to stop believing in them.

Superstitions Today

Even today, with all our knowledge and technology, superstitions still exist. They might not be as strong or widespread as before, but you can still find people who avoid walking under ladders or who get nervous if a black cat crosses their path. It shows that superstitions, no matter how old, still have a place in our modern lives.

In conclusion, superstitions are fascinating because they show how humans try to understand and control the world around them, even when it doesn’t make much sense. It’s a reminder of the power of belief and tradition in our lives.

500 Words Essay on Superstitions

Superstitions: beliefs and practices.

Some people believe in superstitions because they think it will bring good luck or protect them from bad luck. Others may believe in them out of habit or because they were taught to believe in them as children. Superstitions can vary from culture to culture and may change over time.

Superstitions: Origins and Prevalence

Superstitions: lucky charms and bad luck.

Certain items or actions are often associated with good luck or bad luck in various cultures. For example, some people believe that a four-leaf clover brings good luck, while others believe that spilling salt brings bad luck. Some cultures may believe in lucky charms like amulets or talismans.

Superstitions: Fortune-Telling and Signs

Some superstitions involve fortune-telling or the belief that signs can predict the future. For instance, some people may believe in the power of horoscopes or tarot card readings to provide insights into their lives. Others may look for signs in everyday occurrences, such as seeing a black cat or hearing a bird call, as indicators of good or bad fortune.

Superstitions: Effects on Behavior

Superstitions: cultural and regional differences.

Superstitions can vary significantly among different cultures and regions. For example, in some cultures, it is considered unlucky to walk under a ladder, while in others, it is seen as a sign of good luck.

Superstitions are beliefs and practices that may vary across cultures and time. They can be rooted in ancient traditions, fears, or a desire to make sense of the world. While some superstitions may be harmless, others may lead to irrational or obsessive behaviors. Understanding the cultural and historical context of superstitions can provide valuable insights into the beliefs and practices of different communities.

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Essay on Superstition

Have you ever discontinued walking through that road if a black cat crosses your path? What happened when you feel your left palm itchy? Have you ever crossed your fingers when feeling nervous? Does your mother give you curd and sugar before going to work? If yes, then surely you have heard about these superstitions.

Many people still follow these superstitions for good luck. To learn more about them, today we will discuss Superstition in detail.

Short and Long Superstition Essay in English

Here, we are presenting long and short essays on Superstition in English for students under word limits of 100 – 150 Words, 200 – 250 words, and 500 – 600 words. This topic is useful for students of classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 in English. These provided essays will help you to write effective essays, paragraphs, and speeches on Superstition.

Superstition Essay 10 Lines (100 – 150 Words)

1) Superstition is an illogical belief that something will bring good luck or bad luck.

2) Sometimes, people believe that certain numbers, colors, or objects can bring them luck.

3) It can lead to a false sense of security and create unrealistic expectations.

4) Superstitions can be found in many cultures.

5) Superstitions can motivate people to work harder and achieve goals.

6) However, it can provide comfort and reassurance when situations are uncertain.

7) Superstitions can help people to cope with anxiety.

8) Sometimes, it can lead to a distorted view of reality by neglecting scientific evidence.

9) It can also lead to a rejection of evidence-based knowledge.

10) For example, it is believed that entering a house through the back door is bad.

Short Essay on Superstition (250 – 300 Words)

Introduction

Superstition is a belief or practice that is based on useless fear of the unknown rather than on logical reasoning or scientific facts. It is an ancient form of belief that has been around for thousands of years and is still prevalent in many cultures today. Superstition can be a positive or negative influence on people, depending on how it is used and interpreted.

One of the advantages of superstition is that it can give people a sense of comfort and security in an uncertain world. Believing in superstitions can also help people cope with difficult situations, as they may feel that they have some control over their fate or that luck is on their side.

Disadvantages

The main disadvantage of superstition is that it can lead to harmful decisions and behavior. Superstitions can also lead to fear and anxiety, as people may worry that their actions will lead to bad luck or misfortune. It can also lead to a lack of critical thinking and discourage creativity. Sometimes, it can create a state of superstitious paralysis, where people are unwilling to take action. Superstitions can also lead to a reliance on luck instead of taking responsibility.

A superstition is an ancient form of belief that is still prevalent in many cultures today. While superstitions can provide a sense of comfort and security, they can also lead to irrational decisions. Therefore, it is important to remember that superstition is a form of belief and not a scientific fact and should not be used as a substitute for logical reasoning or scientific inquiry.

Long Essay on Superstition (500 Words)

Superstition and science have been at odds with one another since the dawn of time. Superstition is defined as a belief in supernatural forces or luck that can influence events, while science is based on the observation of facts and the formulation of theories through experimentation. Throughout history, superstition has been used to explain and predict events, while science has been used to create and explain the world around us.

What is Superstition?

Superstition is defined as a senseless belief or practice that is based on luck or fate. In other words, it is a belief in supernatural powers that influence our lives and the events that happen around us. This belief is often rooted in a deep-seated fear of the unknown or a lack of scientific understanding. Superstitions can vary widely, with some being harmless, while others have the potential to hurt our lives.

Origins of Superstition

The origins of superstition are unclear and have been the subject of debate for centuries. Some scholars believe that superstition is a result of primitive man’s attempt to explain natural phenomena, while others suggest that it is a product of the early religious beliefs of primitive cultures. However, the superstition persists today in many parts of the world.

Superstition: A Belief Beyond Logic

Superstition has been around for centuries and still exists in many cultures today. Superstition is an illogical belief that an object, action, or circumstance not logically related to a course of events influences its outcome. It is a belief in supernatural causality, which is a belief that one event causes another without any physical process linking the two events. It is derived from fear and ignorance and can be passed on from one generation to the next.

The Role of Superstition in Everyday Life

Superstition plays an important role in everyday life. Many people believe that certain actions can bring good luck or bad luck, and superstitions often provide a sense of security and comfort. For example, some people believe that carrying a lucky charm or engaging in certain rituals can bring good luck. Superstitions are often used to ward off bad luck and to bring good fortune.

The Effects of Superstition

While superstitions can be comforting, they can also have a negative effect on people’s lives. Superstitious beliefs can lead to irrational behavior and can result in people feeling helpless and powerless. Additionally, superstitions can lead to fear and anxiety and can interfere with decision-making. Sometimes, people may find superstitions fun and interesting, but it is important to remember that superstitions are not based on fact. It can have both positive and negative effects, depending on how it is used and interpreted.

Science has helped to counter superstitious beliefs by providing evidence-based explanations for natural phenomena. By providing logical explanations for natural events, science has helped to displace superstition and has provided a more logical way to explain the world. Therefore, superstition and science can be used together to create a better understanding of the world.

I hope the above-provided essay on Superstition will be helpful to you in understanding the effects, advantages, and disadvantages of superstition.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions on Superstition

Ans. Religion is based on faith, while superstitions are based on fear and a belief in supernatural forces.

Ans. Yes, superstitions can be harmful if they lead to foolish behavior.

Ans. No, superstition does not have any scientific basis.

Ans. People believe in superstitions because they provide a sense of comfort and control in the face of uncertainty.

Ans. Superstitions can come from different cultures and religions as well as personal experiences.

Related Posts

Essay on digital india, cashless india essay, essay on child is father of the man, essay on causes, effects and prevention of corona virus, essay on dr. sarvepalli radhakrishnan, durga puja essay, essay on summer vacation, essay on my plans for summer vacation, essay on holiday.

Superstition

Superstition is a credulous belief or notion, not based on reason, knowledge, or experience. The word is often used pejoratively to refer to folk beliefs deemed irrational. This leads to some superstitions being called "old wives' tales". It is also commonly applied to beliefs and practices surrounding luck, prophecy and spiritual beings, particularly irrational belief that future events can be influenced or foretold by specific unrelated prior events.

Arranged alphabetically by author or source: A · B · C · D · E · F · G · H · I · J · K · L · M · N · O · P · Q · R · S · T · U · V · W · X · Y · Z · Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations · See also · External links

• William R. Alger , in James Wood, Dictionary of Quotations from Ancient and Modern, English and Foreign Sources (1893), 544:20.
• Anonymous, 'Common Cookery'. Household Words (26 Jan 1856), 13, 45. An English weekly magazine edited by Charles Dickens .
• Mustafa Kemal Atatürk , Speech (October 1927); quoted in Atatürk’ten Düşünceler by E. Z. Karal, p. 59
• Francis Bacon , The Works of Francis Bacon (1819), Vol. 2, 73.
• It were better to have no opinion of God at all than such an opinion as is unworthy of him; for the one is unbelief, the other is contumely; and certainly superstition is the reproach of the Deity.
• Plutarch saith well to that purpose: "Surely," saith he, "I had rather a great deal men should say there was no such man at all as Plutarch , than that they should say that there was one Plutarch, that would eat his children as soon as they were born as the poets speak of Saturn . And as the contumely is greater towards God, so the danger is greater towards men.
• Francis Bacon , Essays , XVII: Of Superstition .
• The causes of superstition are: pleasing and sensual rites and ceremonies; excess of outward and pharisaical holiness; over great reverence of traditions, which cannot but load the church; the stratagems of prelates, for their own ambition and lucre; the favoring too much of good intentions , which openeth the gate to conceits and novelties ; the taking an aim at divine matters, by human, which cannot but breed mixture of imaginations : and, lastly, barbarous times , especially joined with calamities and disasters .
• Superstition, without a veil, is a deformed thing; for, as it addeth deformity to an ape, to be so like a man, so the similitude of superstition to religion, makes it the more deformed. And as wholesome meat corrupteth to little worms, so good forms and orders corrupt, into a number of petty observances.
• John L. Balderston , in the play Dracula (1927), spoken by the character Von Helsing. In the script Dracula: the Vampire Play in Three Acts (Samuel French Inc., 1960), 25.
• Iain Banks , Piece (1989)
• Some of the truths, now called “exploded superstitions ,” will be discovered to be facts and the relics of ancient knowledge and wisdom ....
• H.P. Blavatsky in The Secret Doctrine, the Synthesis of Science, Religion and Philosophy , Vol. 1, p. 611, (1888)
• Anecdote about Niels Bohr , as described in Clifton Fadiman (ed.), Andrè Bernard (ed.), Bartlett's Book of Anecdotes (2000), 68.
• William B. Bonnor , The Mystery of the Expanding Universe (1964), 122.
• David Brewster , More Worlds than One: The Creed of the Philosopher and the Hope of the Christian (1854), 42.
• Lord Byron , Childe Harold's Pilgrimage , Canto II (1812), Stanza 44.

• John Calvin , Institutes of the Christian Religion (1536), Aphorisms 1-3
• John Calvin , Institutes of the Christian Religion (1541), translated by E. McKee (2009), p. 27-28
• John Calvin , Institutes of the Christian Religion (1541), translated by E. McKee (2009), p. 28
• John Calvin , Institutes of the Christian Religion , Book 1, Chapter 4, p. 54
• Catechism of the Catholic Church (1992), § 2111.
• Hal Clement , Assumption Unjustified (1946); originally published in the October 1946 issue of Astounding . Reprinted in Crossroads in Time , edited by Groff Conklin (p. 17)
• Charles Darwin , The Descent of Man (1871), Vol. 2, 404-5.
• Philip José Farmer , The Dark Design (1977), Chapter 46
• Batman The Batman Wars Against the Dirigible of Doom Detective Comics #33 (November 1939), written by Bill Finger
• Charles Fort , The Book of The Damned (1919), 157.
• James A. Garfield , speech (16 Dec 1867) given while a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, introducing resolution for the appointment of a committee to examine the necessities for legislation upon the subject of the ninth census to be taken the following year. Quoted in John Clark Ridpath, The Life and Work of James A. Garfield (1881), 216.
• John Gay , Fables (1727), Part I. Fable 37.
• Ulysses S. Grant , Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant, Chapter III
• Baron d'Holbach , Samuel Wilkinson, trans., The System of Nature ( Project Gutenberg e-text ), vol. 1, chap. IX
• Date and place of publication unknown. Original publication in French, 1770, as La Système de la nature , under the name of Jean Baptiste de Mirabaud .
• Patrick J. Hurley, A Concise Introduction to Logic (2000 [Seventh edition], Wadsworth, ISBN 0-534-52006-5 ), p. 594
• Thomas Henry Huxley , "The Coming of Age of the Origin of Species" (1880). In Collected Essays (1893), Vol. 2, 229.
• Robert G. Ingersoll "Some Mistakes of Moses" (1879) Section II, "Free Schools".
• Thomas Jefferson , on the teachings of Jesus Christ amidst the intolerant superstitions of his times, in a letter to William Short (4 August 1820)
• Thomas Jefferson , in a letter to Roger C. Weightman, on the decision for Independence made in 1776, often quoted as if in reference solely to the document the Declaration of Independence (24 June 1826)
• We have to be very conscious of the fact that beneath every illness is a prohibition. A prohibition that comes from a superstition.
• Alejandro Jodorowsky Psychomagic: The Transformative Power of Shamanic Psychotherapy (2010)
• Carl Jung , Synchronicity: An Acausal Connecting Principle (1960)
• Wendy Kaminer , Sleeping with Extra-Terrestrials , p. 35
• Immanuel Kant , Anthropology from a Pragmatic Point of View (1798), translated by Mary J. Gregor (1974), p. 142
• James Patrick Kelly , Glass Cloud (1987), reprinted in Gardner Dozois (ed.), The Year's Best Science Fiction: Fifth Annual Collection , p. 266
• Jiddu Krishnamurti , At the Feet of the Master (1911)
• Letitia Elizabeth Landon , Traits and Trials of Early Life (1837), 'Frances Beaumont'
• Sir Edwin Ray Lankester , "Biology and the State", The Advancement of Science: Occasional Essays & Addresses (1890), 108-9.
• Charles Lindbergh , Quoted in "Antiseptic Christianity", book review of Lindbergh, Of Flight and Life in Time magazine, (6 Sep 1948).
• Maimonides , Attributed.
• George Perkins Marsh , "The Study of Nature", The Christian Examiner , 1860, 67, 40.
• John Milton , reported in Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert, Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895), p. 573.
• Jawaharlal Nehru , Quoted in Atma Ram, "The Making of Optical Glass in India: Its Lessons for Industrial Development", Proceedings of the National Institute of Sciences of India (1961), 27, 564-5.
• Reject irreverent and silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness.
• Paul of Tarsus , 1 Timothy 4:7
• Jane Roberts , in The God of Jane: A Psychic Manifesto , p. 48
• Samuel Rodgers , Ode to Superstition (1786), I.1 l. 1-4.
• Nicholas Rowe , Jane Shore (1714), Act IV, scene 1, line 240.
• Bertrand Russell , An Outline of Intellectual Rubbish (1943), 23.
• Carl Sagan , Cosmos (1985), 275.
• Buck Sexton , Twitter , 1:06 AM · Nov 12, 2021
• B.F. Skinner "Superstition' in the Pigeon", in Journal of Experimental Psychology #38, 1947.
• William Shakespeare , The Comedy of Errors , Act IV, scene 3, line 72.
• William Shakespeare , Macbeth (1605), Act V, scene 5, line 42.
• George Bernard Shaw , "Maxims for Revolutionists", in Man and Superman (1905), 230.
• Adam Smith , An Inquiry into the Nature And Causes of the Wealth of Nations (1776, 1801), Vol. 2, 314.
• R. L. Soni, commentary on The Maha Mangala Sutta, Collected Wheel Publications Volume XVI (Buddhist Publication Society: 2012), p. 137 .
• Henry David Thoreau , Journal , 27 Jun 1852, in The Writings of Henry David Thoreau (1906), Vol. 10, 158.
• Jack Vance , Sail 25 in Future Tense (p. 84; originally published as Gateway to Strangeness in Amazing Stories, August 1962)
• Vernor Vinge , The Peddler's Apprentice (1975), reprinted in The Collected Stories of Vernor Vinge , p. 73
• Vernor Vinge , A Deepness in the Sky (1999), ISBN 0-812-53635-5 , p. 568
• Rudolf Virchow , in Fielding Hudson Garrison, An Introduction to the History of Medicine (1966), 577.
• Swami Vivekananda , Vivekananda, Swami (in en). The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda - Volume 1 . Advaita Ashrama (Publication House of Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math). pp.  The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 1/Raja-Yoga/Dhyana And Samadhi, Swami Vivekananda; Wikisource link . ISBN 978-81-7505-862-0 .  
• Voltaire , "A Treatise in Toleration". In Voltaire , Tobias George Smollett (ed.) and William F. Fleming (trans.), The Works of Voltaire (1904), Vol. 4, 265.
• Ibn Warraq , Why I Am Not a Muslim . Prometheus Books. 2010-09-30. ISBN 978-1-61592-029-7 .  
• Simone Weil , "The Power of Words," in Selected Essays, 1934-1943 (1962), p. 156
• Colin Wilson in The Occult: A History , p. 212 (1971)
• Colin Wilson in Enigmas and Mysteries , p. 142 (1976)
• Colin Wilson in The Mammoth Encyclopedia of the Unsolved p. 4 (2000)
• Stevie Wonder , "Superstition" (24 October 1972), Talking Book (1972).

Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations

• Religion is not removed by removing superstition.
• Cicero , De Divinatione , II. 72.
• Death approaches, which is always impending like the stone over Tantalus: then comes superstition with which he who is imbued can never have peace of mind.
• Cicero , De Finibus Bonorum et Malorum , I. 8.
• There is in superstition a senseless fear of God; religion consists in the pious worship of Him.
• Cicero , De Natura Deorum , I. 42.
• John Dryden , paraphrase of Amaryllis, Third Idyllum of Theocritus , line 86.
• Joel Chandler Harris , Brother Rabbit and his famous Foot .
• A foolish superstition introduces the influences of the gods even in the smallest matters.
• Livy , Annales , XXVII. 23.
• Pliny the Elder , Natural History , Book XXVIII, Chapter V.
• Tobias Smollett , Peregrine Pickle . Quoted as a well-known proverb.
• Anne Louise Germaine de Staël ; reported in Abel Stevens' Life of Madame de Staël , Chapter XXXIV.

External links

• Superstitions
• Pages using ISBN magic links

Navigation menu

English Charity

Let’s write good English

On Superstitions – A. G. Gardiner – Complete Explanation

On superstitions.

by Alfred George Gardiner

Complete explanation of the Essay ‘On Superstitions’ alongside the original text

Introduction.

On Superstitions by A.G. Gardiner is taken from his 1931 collection of essays called The Alpha of the Plough: Second Series. Alpha of the Plough being A.G. Gardiner’s pseudonym. The essay launches a frontal attack on superstitions that prevail in all societies and in all ages. Using his lucid reasoning, and sense of satire, Gardiner convinces the readers about the gullibility of the human beings who willingly fall prey to irrational restrictions on one’s behavior. To make the essay sound appealingly funny, Gardiner becomes the narrator himself.

Original Paragraph 1

It was inevitable that the fact that a murder has taken place at a house with the number 13 in a street, the letters of whose name number 13, would not pass unnoticed. If we took the last hundred murders that have committed, I suppose we should find that as many have taken place at No. 6 or No. 7, or any other number you chose, as at No. 13 – that the law of averages is as inexorable here as elsewhere. But this consideration does not prevent the world remarking on the fact when No. 13 has its turn.

Explanation

A. G. Gardiner understood the folly and gullibility of the human mind really well. Despite the advancement of science and a dramatic shift towards seeing everything through a prism of rationality and experimental proof, the propensity to cling on to age-old prejudices have continued to blight the human ability to look at events and phenomena dispassionately. Gardiner has chosen the case of a murder that happened in a house bering the number 13. People around ascribed the grisly crime to the ‘unlucky’ number 13, conveniently ignoring the fact that many murders did take place in houses with other numbers too. The link between the number 13 and the murder, thus, does not stand statistical scrutiny. The stigma around ‘13’ has refused to go away.

Original Paragraph 2

Not that the world believes there is anything in the superstition. It is quite sure it is a mere childish folly, of course. Few of us would refuse to take a house because its number was 13, or decline an invitation to dinner because there were to be 13 at table. But most of us would be just a shade happier if that desirable residence were numbered 11, and not any less pleased with the dinner if one of the guests contracted a chill that kept him away. We would not confess this little weakness to each other. We might even refuse to admit it to ourselves, but it is there.

We all concede that the number 13 does not bode ill for anything that bears it, be it a bus seat, or a house, or a airline counter. Yet, when it comes to accept the product or the service marked ‘13’, we step back. An unknown voice from a deep corner of our brain says ‘No’. We heed it, aware that we are falling prey to prejudice. A house bearing the number ‘11’ strangely appears more livable than the one with ‘13’. A dinner party with 13 guests triggers negative thoughts making us wonder if we should attend it or not. Quite curiously, if an invitee excuses themselves reducing the guest number to 12, we sense that the meeting would be joyful. If someone says we are meekly ceding to irrationality in shying away from anything numbered ‘13’, we refute the accusation vehemently.

Original Paragraph 3

That it exists is evident from many irrefutable signs. There are numerous streets in London, and I daresay in other towns too, in which there is no house numbered 13, and I am told that it is very rare that a bed in a hospital bears that number. The superstition, threadbare though it has worn, is still sufficiently real to enter into the calculations of a discreet landlord in regard to the letting qualities of his house, and into the calculations of a hospital as to the curative properties of a bed.

In the subconscious mind of most of us, the fear of’13’ remains entrenched. Any one in authority to allot serial numbers to goods, properties or services skips ‘13’ and jumps to ‘14’ after ‘12’ willfully ignoring mathematics rule. This is why, almost in all town and cities we seldom find a street bearing the number 13. No hospital bed, where people fight off illness, will be numbered 13. No matter how cozy a house is, or how efficient the doctors are, a tenant or a patient will shy away from a house or a bed numbered 13. Such is the aura of gloom and doom around the number ‘13’.

Original Paragraph 4

In the latter case general agreement would support the concession to the superstition, idle though that superstition is ‘Physical recovery is a matter of the mind as well as of the body, and the slightest shadow on the mind may, in a condition of low vitality, retard and even defeat recovery.’ Florence Nightingale’s almost passionate advocacy of flowers in the sick bedroom was based on the necessity of the creation of a certain state of mind in the patient. There are a few more curious revelations in that moving record by M. Duhamel of medical experiences during the war, than the case of the man who died of a pimple on his nose. He had been hideously mutilated in battle and was brought into hospital a sheer wreck; but he was slowly patched up and seemed to have been saved when a pimple appeared on his nose. It was nothing in itself, but it was enough to produce a mental state that checked the flickering return of light. It assumed a fantastic importance in the mind of the patient who, having survived the heavy blows of fate, died of something less than a pin-prick. It is not difficult to understand that so fragile a hold of life might yield to the sudden discovery that you were lying in No. 13 bed.

When a patient battles some serious illness, they need, apart from high-quality medical care, a steady physical and mental state. A patient with a strong positive outlook and a hope that they would not succumb to their illness is more likely to recover, than a weakling who feels they are in the end of their tether. Unfortunately, stray cases of patients well on their road to recovery have intriguingly taken a U-turn to die have happened. Such unexplained deterioration was explained away by attributing the death to the bed number which was’13’. In one such instance, a soldier grievously injured in the battle field received medical care and showed dramatic recovery. Just when the doctors felt the gallant soldier had fought off death, his condition worsened after a pimple erupted on his nose. This innocuous development certainly can’t pull a patient into the jaws of death, but it did. The medical staff clueless about the mishap ascribed it to the ‘inauspicious’ bed number 13 that the patient occupied. This single incident that was possibly a coincidence cemented the notion that 13 is indeed an unlucky number that invites trouble. Ambience around a patient’s bed does affect his recovery. A pleasant surrounding aids the recovery by lifting their mood. This is the reason why Florence Nightingale insisted on keeping bouquets of fresh flowers at patients’ bedsides.

Original Paragraph 5

I am not sure that I could go into the witness-box and swear that I am wholly immune to these idle superstitions myself. It is true that of all the buses in London, that numbered 13 chances to be the one that I constantly use and I do not remember, until now, ever to have associated the superstition with it. And certainly, I have never had anything but the most civic treatment from it. It is as well-behaved a bus, and as free from unpleasant associations, as any on the road. I would not change its number if I had the power to do so. But there are other circumstances of which I should find it less easy to clear myself of suspicion under cross-examination.

The author regularly travels in a particular city bus, and has had very pleasant experience travelling in it. The passengers, the conductor, and the interior were all to his liking. Curiously, the bus has the number 13 on it. So, it’s absurd to link the number ‘13’ with bad luck or any sort of danger.

Original Paragraph 6

I never see a ladder against a hose-side without feeling that it is advisable to walk round it rather under it. I say to myself that this is not homage to a foolish superstation, but a duty to my family. One must think of one’s family. The fellow at the top of the ladder may drop anything. He may even drop himself. He may have had too much drink. He may be a victim of epileptic fits, and epileptic fits, as everyone knows, come on at the most unseasonable times and places. It is a mere measure of ordinary safety to walk round the ladder. No man is justified in inviting danger in order to flaunt his superiority to an idle fancy, moreover, probably that fancy has its roots in the common-sense fact that a man on ladder does occasionally drop things. No doubt many of our superstitions have these commonplace and sensible origins. I imagine, for example, that the Jewish objection to pork as unclean on religious grounds is only fur to the fact that in Eastern climates it is unclean on physical grounds.

People on encountering a ladder on their way generally avoid walking under it, and instinctively walk around it. Such instinct is made part of our psyche by people around us who aver that walking under a ladder must be avoided as it could invite big trouble. The author reflects on this widely-held belief and delves into it to see if there is any rationale behind it. He understands that people at work on the higher rungs of a ladder often involuntarily drop items that could hurt those who happen to at the spot at that very moment. It’s also possible that the worker on the ladder is struck by a bout of fits and crashes onto the ground. Quite obviously, one can preempt such dangers by walking around a ladder and not under it. So, we see some rationality behind this apparent superstition.

The Jewish abhorrence towards pork is due to the fact that the animals are ‘dirty’ because they eat ‘dirt’. We can figure out that in many geographies, particularly in the East, pigs eat human waste. It’s reasonable, therefore, to assume that the animal’s meat is unfit for human consumption. Here again, we see some reason behind a superstitious belief.

Original Paragraph 7

All the same, I suspect that when I walk round the ladder I am rather glad that I have such respectable and unassailable reasons for doing so. Even if – conscious of this suspicion and ashamed to admit it to myself – I walk under the ladder, I am not quite sure that I have not done so as a kind of negative concession to the superstition. I have challenged it rather than been unconscious of it. There is only one way of dodging the absurd dilemma, and that is to walk through the ladder. This (is) not easy.

A person walking around a ladder can draw comfort from the fact that he is aware of the physical risks involved in walking under a ladder. If the person dares to walk under a ladder voluntarily, he would be presumed to have challenged the soundness of the superstitious belief. Few would believe that he was unaware of the prevailing bar on walking under a ladder due to customary beliefs. If someone wants to be seen as a person who pays no heed to superstitious beliefs, he can walk through the ladder, but that would impractical and absurd.

Original Paragraph 8

In the same way I am sensible of a certain satisfaction when I see the new moon in the open rather than through glass, and over my right shoulder rather than my left. I would not for any consideration arrange these things consciously; but if they happen so I fancy I am better pleased than if they do not. And on these occasions I have even caught my hand – which chanced to be in my at the time – turning over money, a little surreptitiously I thought, but still undeniably turning it. Hands have habits of their own and one can’t always be watching them.

Original Paragraph 9

But these shadowy reminiscences of antique credulity which we discover in ourselves play no part in the lives of any of us. They belong to a creed outworn. Superstition was disinherited when science revealed the laws of the universe and put man in his place. It was no discredit to be superstitious when all the functions of nature were unexplored, and man seemed the playing of beneficent or sinister forces that he could neither control nor understand, but which held him in the hollow of their hand. He related everything that happened in nature to his own inexplicable existence, saw his fate in the clouds, his happiness or misery announced in the flight of birds, and referred every phenomenon of life to the soothsayers and oracles.

Original Paragraph 10

You may read in Thucydides of battles being postponed (and lost) because some omen that had no relation to the event than the falling of a leaf was against it. When Pompey was afraid that the Romans would elect Cato as praetor he shouted to the Assembly that he heard thunder and got the whole election postponed, for Romans would never transact business after it had thundered. Alexander surrounded himself with fortune-tellers and took counsel with them as modern ruler takes counsel with his ministers. Even so great a man as Caesar and so modern and enlightened a man as Cicero left their fate to augurs and omens. Sometimes the omen were right and sometimes they were wrong, but whether right or wrong they were equally meaningless. Cicero lost his life by trusting to the wisdom of crows. When he was in flight from Antony and Caesar Augustus, he put to sea and might have escaped. But some crows chanced to circle round his vessel, and tool the circumstance to be unfavourable to his action, returned to shore and was murdered. Even the farmer of ancient Greece consulted the omens and the oracles where the farmers today is only careful of his manures.

Original Paragraph 11

I should have liked to have seen Caesar and I should have like to have heard Cicero, but on the balance I think we who inherit this later day and who can jest at the shadows that were so real to them have the better end of time. It is pleasant to be about when the light is abroad. We do not know much more of the power that turns the handle of this idle show than our forefathers did, but at least we have escaped the grotesque shadows that enveloped them. We do not look for divine guidance in the entrails of animals or the flight of crows, and the House of Commons does not adjourn at a clap of thunder.

Related Posts

• On the Value of Scepticism by Betrand Russell – Complete Explanation
• Easter and Western Ideas of Happiness by Betrand Russell – Complete Explanation
• A Piece of Chalk by G. K. Chesterton – Complete Explanation and Analysis
• On the Choice of a Profession by Robert Louis Stevenson – Explanation