# Clifford Geertz on Religion

> Religion is a system of symbols which acts to establish powerful, pervasive, and long-lasting moods and motivations

— Clifford Geertz


Religion is a system of symbols which acts to establish powerful, pervasive, and long-lasting moods and motivations in men by formulating conceptions of a general order of existence and clothing these conceptions with such an aura of factuality that the moods and motivations seem uniquely realistic.

**Tags:** humility, pragmatism, religion, faith, philosophy, anthropology