Elizabeth Blackwell (1899), Essays in Medical Sociology, page: 1, publisher: Library Reprints, Incorporated, ISBN: 978-0-7222-1823-5
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The essence of all religions is the recognition of an Authority higher, more comprehensive, more permanent than the human being. The characteristic of Christian teaching, however, is the faith that this Supreme Authority is beneficent as well as powerful. The Christian believes that the Creative Force is a moral force, of more comprehensive morality than the human being that it creates. Under the symbol of a wise and loving parent—the most just, efficient, and attractive image that we know of—we are encouraged to regard this unseen Authority as being in direct relation with every atom of creation, and as desirous of drawing each atom into progressively higher forms of existence.

— Elizabeth Blackwell

What It Means

This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "The essence of all religions is the recognition of an Authority higher, more comprehensive, more permanent than the human being. The characteristic of Christian teaching, however, is the faith that this Supreme Authority is beneficent as well as powerful. The Christian believes that the Creative Force is a moral force, of more comprehensive morality than the human being that it creates. Under the symbol of a wise and loving parent—the most just, efficient, and attractive image that we know of—we are encouraged to regard this unseen Authority as being in direct relation with every atom of creation, and as desirous of drawing each atom into progressively higher forms of existence." in the context of "Elizabeth Blackwell (1899), Essays in Medical Sociology, page: 1, publisher: Library Reprints, Incorporated, ISBN: 978-0-7222-1823-5" to mean that wisdom is timeless.

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Source: Wikiquote: "Elizabeth Blackwell" (Quotes, Essays in Medical Sociology (1899)) The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
Elizabeth Blackwell

About Elizabeth Blackwell

Elizabeth Blackwell (February 3, 1821 – May 31, 1910) was a British-American physician, author, medical sociologist, and moral reformer. She is known as the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States.