As a rule, all heroism is due to a lack of reflection, and thus it is necessary to maintain a mass of imbeciles. If they once understand themselves the ruling men will be lost.

Writing in the midst of the dispute concerning the Alsace-Lorraine region he declared that the existence of a nation was based on a "daily plebiscite. One of his greatest admirers was Manuel González Prada in Peru who took the Life of Jesus as a basis for his anticlericalism.

Joseph Ernest Renan (28 February 1823 – 2 October 1892) was a French expert of Middle East ancient languages and civilizationsphilosopher and writer devoted to his native province of Brittany. He is best known for his influential historical works on early Christianity and his political theories especially concerning nationalism and national identity.