In religion, a false prophet (anglicized from the Latin Vulgate: falsis prophetis) is one who falsely claims the gift of prophecy or divine inspiration, or who uses that gift for evil ends. Often, someone who is considered a "true prophet" by some people is simultaneously considered a "false prophet" by others, even within the same religion as the "prophet" in question. The term is sometimes applied outside religion to describe someone who fervently promotes a theory that the speaker thinks is false.
Read more about False Prophet: Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Use Outside Religion
Famous quotes containing the words false and/or prophet:
“Rhyme, the rack of finest wits,
That expresseth but by fits
True conceit,
Spoiling senses of their treasure,
Cozening judgment with a measure,
But false weight;
Wresting words from their true calling;
Propping verse for fear of falling
To the ground;
Jointing syllables, drowning letters,
Fastening vowels, as with fetters
They were bound!”
—Ben Jonson (1572–1637)
“In old Egypt, it was established law, that the vote of a prophet be reckoned equal to a hundred hands. I think it was much under-estimated.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)