Where it is a duty to worship the sun it is pretty sure to be a crime to examine the laws of heat.

John Morley's quote, "Where it is a duty to worship the sun it is pretty sure to be a crime to examine the laws of heat," reflects a critique of blind adherence to tradition and the suppression of intellectual inquiry. Morley, an English statesman and writer, was a strong advocate for freedom of thought and the importance of critical thinking in society. The quote suggests that when society elevates certain beliefs or practices to the level of duty or sacredness, it often stifles curiosity and the willingness to question or investigate those very things.

The image of worshipping the sun symbolizes the unquestioned reverence for certain institutions or beliefs. In this case, the sun could be a metaphor for any powerful entity or idea that demands loyalty and faith without room for skepticism. According to Morley, when such reverence is required, intellectual freedom becomes a threat, as even something as fundamental as the laws of heat—in this metaphor, the natural, scientific truths—can be seen as subversive and potentially dangerous to the established order.

This quote speaks to the conflict between faith or tradition and the pursuit of knowledge or reason. Morley highlights how some societies, or even individuals, may resist scientific progress or intellectual inquiry because it challenges the long-held beliefs that have been deemed sacred or unquestionable. In this context, the crime Morley refers to is the act of challenging these established norms in favor of truth-seeking, a process that can be seen as subversive when it threatens existing power structures or societal values.

Ultimately, Morley’s quote serves as a warning against blind dogmatism and a call for intellectual freedom. It emphasizes that true progress comes from the willingness to examine, question, and test the assumptions and beliefs that govern society, even if they are deeply ingrained or revered as sacred.