---
title: '''Are our teachings, then, in vain?'' (Keppler, Puck, 3 October 1900)'
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/keppler-teachings-in-vain-1900/
description: A centrefold chromolithograph shows Confucius and Christ in the clouds clasping hands, a halo about Christ's head, above a dark ground where two men with…
section: Collection
---

[Collection](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/)

**Content note:** Period cartoon showing a Chinese figure with a queue and religious figures; depicts the Boxer-era conflict. This object is shown as it was published. [Why](https://propagandaarchive.org/about/#as-it-was)

[!['Are our teachings, then, in vain?' (Keppler, Puck, 3 October 1900)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/keppler-teachings-in-vain-1900.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/keppler-teachings-in-vain-1900.jpg)

# 'Are our teachings, then, in vain?' (Keppler, Puck, 3 October 1900)

A centrefold chromolithograph shows Confucius and Christ in the clouds clasping hands, a halo about Christ's head, above a dark ground where two men with banners stand among the flags of several powers. The tell is the borrowed authority: two religious founders are placed over a conflict as witnesses, so the question in the title does the arguing.

## Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

```
PUCK.

"ARE OUR TEACHINGS, THEN, IN VAIN?"

Copyright, 1900, by Keppler & Schwarzmann.
J. Ottmann Lith. Co. Puck Bldg. N.Y.

[text on the two lower banners illegible]
```

[← Notice of Justice: Aguinaldo's decree of 3 August 1900 paying 'imperialist soldiers' for surrendered rifles](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/aguinaldo-decree-imperialist-soldiers-1900/) [Many Happy Returns - of the Gold to the Rightful Owners (Tom Browne, The Sketch) →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/many-happy-returns-kruger-gold-1900/)

## Using the same techniques

- [Bronze sestertius of Gaius (Caligula), reverse S P Q R P P OB CIVES SERVATOS in an oak wreath](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/sestertius-caligula-ob-cives-servatos-0037/) (Roman Empire · 0037 · Testimonial, Transfer)
- [Gold coin of Kanishka: King of Kings legend, king at the altar, deity Oesho](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/gold-dinar-kanishka-king-of-kings-0130/) (Kushan Empire · 0130 · Transfer)
- [Gold solidus of Justinian I, reverse VICTORIA AVGGG with Victory holding a Christogram staff](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/solidus-justinian-i-victoria-avggg-0538/) (Byzantine Empire · 0538 · Transfer, Glittering generalities)
- [Bayeux Tapestry, scene 23: UBI HAROLD SACRAMENTVM FECIT VVILLELMO DVCI](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/bayeux-tapestry-harold-oath-to-william-1070/) (Kingdom of England · 1070 · Transfer, Card stacking)
- [Mughal gold coin of Jahangir, dated 1028 AH, with a bull inside a ring of sun rays](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/jahangir-gold-zodiac-coin-sun-rays-1619/) (Mughal Empire · 1619 · Transfer)
- [Frontispiece to Eikon Basilike, The Pourtraicture of His Sacred Majestie in his Solitudes and Sufferings (Hollar, 1649)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/eikon-basilike-frontispiece-hollar-1649/) (Dutch Republic · 1649 · Transfer, Glittering generalities)
- [Consult of the doctors on the grave illness of the Grand Sultan (Consult vande medicijnen inde swaere siekte vanden grooten Sultaen)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/consult-of-the-doctors-sick-sultan-antwerp-1683/) (Spanish Netherlands · 1683 · Transfer, Bandwagon)
- [The Highlanders Medley, or The Duke Triumphant (A Loyal Song)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/highlanders-medley-duke-triumphant-1746/) (Great Britain · 1746 · Name-calling, Transfer)