Man, in spite of his fatal degradation, bears always the evident marks of his divine origin, in that every universal belief is always more or less true.
Joseph De MaistreRead
No man has ceased to believe in God before having decided that he should not exist; no book would produce atheism, and no book can restore faith.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that belief in God is a personal decision rather than something influenced solely by external factors like books.
Joseph De Maistre’s quote reflects on the nature of faith and belief, indicating that one's conviction in God is deeply personal and often rooted in an existential choice. He emphasizes that atheism cannot be simply brought about by literature, nor can faith be reinstated through reading; instead, these beliefs stem from within the individual, tied to their perceptions of existence and reality.
Themes
FaithBeliefExistenceAtheismPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on spirituality, you might share this quote to highlight the complexity of personal belief.
More from Joseph De Maistre
All quotes →Man is insatiable for power; he is infantile in his desires and, always discontented with what he has, loves only what he has not. People complain of the despotism of princes; they ought to complain of the despotism of man.
Joseph De MaistreRead
A constitution that is made for all nations is made for none.
Joseph De MaistreRead
False opinions are like false money, struck first of all by guilty men and thereafter circulated by honest people who perpetuate the crime without knowing what they are doing.
Joseph De MaistreRead
Reason speaks in words alone, but love has a song.
Joseph De MaistreRead
Man in harmony with his Creator is sublime, and his action is creative; equally, once he separates himself from God and acts alone, he does not cease to be powerful, since this is the privilege of his nature, but his acts are negative and lead only to destruction.
Joseph De MaistreRead
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