pious fraud, n.Definitions

Pious fraud (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠the theory that prophets invented revelation stories to impress the crowd, the end sanctifying the means.

Pious fraud (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠the heirloom of every priest and philosopher who improved mankind: neither Manu, Plato, Confucius nor the Jewish and Christian teachers doubted their right to lie.