“There is one thing higher than Royalty: and that is religion, which causes us to leave the world, and seek God.”
- September 7, 1533 – March 24, 1603
- English
- Queen of England and Ireland, Monarch
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Quote
“There is one thing higher than Royalty: and that is religion, which causes us to leave the world, and seek God.”
Explanation
In this quote, Elizabeth I elevates religion above even the highest worldly authority, including the monarchy. As a queen who ruled over a deeply divided religious landscape—caught between Catholicism and Protestantism—Elizabeth’s assertion that religion transcends royalty is both a personal conviction and a political message. It reflects her awareness that her rule must not only uphold political power but also respect the supremacy of divine authority, which was central to the legitimacy of monarchs in her time.
This statement also captures the spiritual ideal of renunciation, suggesting that true religious devotion requires detachment from the material world. By saying that religion “causes us to leave the world,” Elizabeth speaks to the idea that faith involves prioritizing eternal truths over earthly concerns, a sentiment echoed in both monastic traditions and Protestant reformist ideas of the period.
In a modern context, this quote reminds us of the ongoing tension between spiritual values and temporal power. Whether applied to politics, business, or personal life, the idea that there are higher principles than worldly success still resonates. For example, contemporary leaders might interpret this as a call to act ethically, even when it conflicts with personal or institutional gain.
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