“Human beings seek purification, but the devil, proud spirit, seeing that they sought this out of pride and boasted of it, anticipated them and presented himself as a mediator, capable of giving a semblance of purity to their souls. In this, hinting at his pride, he led people to think that he was necessary, that is, t…”
Augustine of Hippo, 5th c. — SERMONS 26:28
Original
20And so the multitude, allured by the grace of the work, took him now for a god, which a little before was but honoured.
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In context
18Also the singular diligence of the artificer did help to set forward the ignorant to more superstition.
19For he, peradventure willing to please one in authority, forced all his skill to make the resemblance of the best fashion.
— Wisdom of Solomon 14:20 —
21And this was an occasion to deceive the world: for men, serving either calamity or tyranny, did ascribe unto stones and stocks the incommunicable name.
22Moreover this was not enough for them, that they erred in the knowledge of God; but whereas they lived in the great war of ignorance, those so great plagues called they peace.