The phrase sum of its parts is entirely compositional.

Possibly the Germans themselves regard their Realpolitik as but the continuation of the philosophic tradition of disillusionment: like Xenophanes they would remind us that the gods of the Ethiopians are snub-nosed and swart, of the Thracians blue-eyed and red-haired, and that if oxen had gods their gods would be oxen.

a live coal […] taken with the tongs from off the altar

He ate his Kentucky Fried Chicken and I am not to eat a thing...not a razoo.