On the record
But in early ages the act of one member of the tribe is conceived to make all the tribe impious, to offend its peculiar god, to expose all the tribe to penalties from heaven.
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Walter Bagehot
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gutenberg.orgWalter Bagehot: “But in early ages the act of one member of the tribe is conceived to make all the tribe impious, to offend its peculiar…”
Editor's note · Context
He describes the ancient belief that the actions of one could affect the entire tribe, illustrating a communal sense of guilt and punishment.
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