My great religion is a belief in the blood, the flesh, as being wiser than the intellect. We can go wrong in our minds. But what our blood feels and believes and says, is always true. The intellect is only a bit and a bridle.

In this quote, D. H. Lawrence expresses a deep belief in the wisdom of the body and intuition, suggesting that blood and flesh carry a truth that surpasses the logic of the intellect. Lawrence emphasizes that the intellect, while important, can sometimes lead us astray, as it is influenced by reason and external ideas that can be flawed or incomplete. In contrast, he believes that what the body feels and believes—its natural instincts and emotions—are always true and rooted in an inherent wisdom that the intellect cannot always access.

Lawrence's statement reflects a philosophical and almost spiritual perspective on the human experience. He views the body and its sensations as more authentic and trustworthy than the rational mind, which can be subject to errors in judgment. The idea that "the intellect is only a bit and a bridle" compares the intellect to a tool that controls or restricts us, while the body represents a freer, more truthful essence of being. This perspective aligns with Romantic ideals that prioritize emotion, instinct, and nature over reason and societal expectations.

The origin of the quote comes from D. H. Lawrence, an English writer and poet known for his works that explore human nature, sexuality, and individual freedom. His views on the body and the intellect are consistent with themes found in much of his writing, where he often critiques the repression of instinct and the overemphasis on rational thought in modern society. Lawrence was deeply interested in the relationship between the mind and the body, and how they influence one another in the pursuit of true understanding.

Ultimately, this quote suggests that true wisdom lies not in the rational mind but in the instincts and sensations that arise from the body. Lawrence calls for a deeper connection with our own natural feelings and beliefs, urging us to trust what our bodies know, rather than relying solely on intellectual reasoning, which can sometimes mislead us.