“Our religion is made to eradicate vices, instead it encourages them, covers them, and nurtures them”
— Michel de Montaigne
Simplified Meaning:
The quote means that religion is supposed to help people get rid of bad habits and behaviors, but sometimes it does the opposite. Instead of making people better, it can make them act worse by hiding or supporting their bad actions. For example, if someone does something wrong, they might use their religion to justify it instead of admitting their mistake and trying to change. This can lead to a situation where people feel protected by their religion, even when they’re doing harmful things. Basically, the quote is pointing out that religion can be misused in a way that lets people avoid dealing with their faults. To apply this advice, one should try to be honest with themselves about their actions and use their beliefs to genuinely improve rather than to excuse bad behavior.
