Love built on beauty, soon as beauty, dies.
John DonneRead
God affords no man the comfort, the false comfort of Atheism: He will not allow a pretending Atheist the power to flatter himself, so far, as to seriously think there is no God.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that no one can genuinely believe in atheism without some inner conflict about the existence of God.
In this quote, John Donne expresses the idea that true atheism is an illusion, as he believes that God does not permit individuals to find real solace in rejecting His existence. According to Donne, even those who claim to be atheists are, on some level, aware of God's presence, and this awareness leads to an internal struggle where one cannot fully embrace atheism without self-deception.
Themes
AtheismBeliefPhilosophySpiritualityConflict
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about faith and belief, one could cite this quote to emphasize the struggle many face with atheistic views.
More from John Donne
All quotes →Reason is our soul's left hand, Faith her right, By these we reach divinity
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All occasions invite His mercies, and all times are His seasons.
John DonneRead
If poisonous minerals, and if that tree, Whose fruit threw death on else immortal us, If lecherous goats, if serpents envious Cannot be damned; alas; why should I be?
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Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.
John DonneRead
I call not that virginity a virtue, which resideth onely in the bodies integrity; much less if it be with a purpose of perpetually keeping it: for then it is a most inhumane vice. - But I call that Virginity a virtue which is willing and desirous to yield it self upon honest and lawfull terms, when just reason requireth; and until then, is kept with a modest chastity of body and mind.
John DonneRead
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