The ruder sort of men--that is, men at ONE stage of rudeness--will sacrifice all they hope for, all they have, THEMSELVES, for what is called an idea--for some attraction which seems to transcend reality, which aspires to elevate men by an interest higher, deeper, wider than that of ordinary life.
Bagehot discusses how certain men are willing to sacrifice everything for lofty ideas that transcend ordinary life.
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In early society, originality in life was forbidden and repressed by the fixed rule of life.
The whole history of civilisation, is strewn with creeds and institutions which were invaluable at first, and deadly afterwards.
All savage religions are full of superstitions founded on luck.
They have given what I may call a CONFIDENCE IN THE UNIVERSE.
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