“If triangles had a god, they would give him three sides.”
- January 18, 1689 – February 10, 1755
- French
- Political Philosopher, Jurist, Author of The Spirit of the Laws
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Quote
“If triangles had a god, they would give him three sides.”
Explanation
Montesquieu uses sharp irony to expose how human conceptions of the divine are often shaped more by self-projection than objective truth. Just as a triangle would imagine a god in its own image—with three sides—humans tend to attribute their own qualities, forms, and biases to their gods. This satirical observation critiques both anthropomorphism and the tendency of religions to reflect cultural, political, or personal desires rather than universal reality.
This aligns with Enlightenment critiques of religious dogma and the arbitrary nature of theological certainty. Montesquieu, like many Enlightenment thinkers, was not attacking belief itself, but the unexamined assumptions behind belief. By pointing out how a triangle would imagine a god in its own form, he encourages us to ask: are our religious ideas genuine insights, or merely mirrors of ourselves?
In the modern context, the quote remains relevant in debates about religious pluralism, bias, and cultural projection. It invites humility and self-reflection in matters of faith, reminding us that true understanding—whether of divinity or morality—requires stepping beyond the narrow bounds of our own image. Montesquieu’s wit delivers a timeless philosophical challenge: to seek truth, not just reflection.
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