Quotes: Criticism of the Founders of Materialistic Cultural Studies (Srila Prabhupada)

Augustine

Hayagriva dasa: In The City of God, Augustine refers to two cities, or societies: one demonic , and the other divine. In one city, love of God and the spirit is the unifying factor; and in the other, love of the world and the flesh is dominant. Augustine writes: "These are two loves, the one of which is holy, the other unholy; one social, the other individualistic; the one is subject to God, the other sets itself up as a rival to God."

Srila Prabhupada: A similar allegory is given in Srimad-Bhiigavatam. The body is likened to a city, and the soul is likened to the king of that city.

Machiavelli

Hayagriva dasa: Machiavelli felt that... religion is subordinate to the state.

Srila Prabhupada: Of course, they are separate, but the state must know what religion is and how to introduce it to the general public... If the state takes advantage of the Vedic literatures, it can introduce a scientific system of religion.

Nietzsche

Hayagriva dasa: Nietzsche believed that by stressing the transcendental world, a person would come to resent this world. He therefore personally rejected all formal religions.

Srila Prabhupada: We do not know whether Nietzsche realized this or not, but if one really understands the soul, he can realize that this material world is a place of suffering... The Vedas advise us to understand the spiritual world and try to return there.