DiotimosReading Desk

Politics

Supreme Being

Être suprême

A designation of God as highest being.

From the book

The Gods Are Athirst

Anatole France · Diotimos Editions · 2026

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Meaning

Phrase.

A designation of God as highest being. Gamelin makes it the source of every virtue and joins that belief to republican identity, then mentions a projected cult of Reason. The chapter’s combination belongs to his speech and should not be silently harmonised into one perfectly consistent historical programme. Brotteaux later uses the same name in mocking compulsory virtue and worship.

Places to read

  1. Chapter VI, paragraph 49FrenchL’Être suprême: The Supreme Being. Gamelin presents belief as morally and politically necessary.
  2. Chapter X, paragraph 43Frenchadorer l’Être suprême: Worship the Supreme Being. Brotteaux objects to coercing people into this worship.