Is it more probable that nature should go out of her…
“Is it more probable that nature should go out of her course or that a man should tell a lie? We have never seen, in our time, nature go out of her course. But we have good reason to believe that millions of lies have been told in the same time. It is therefore at least millions to one that the reporter of a miracle tells a lie.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Nature follows consistent laws, yet human reports of miracles often involve deceit, making false miracles highly probable.
In simple terms: Nature is consistent; miracle reports are likely lies.
Key Takeaway
Critically evaluate extraordinary claims.
Themes
miracles
truth
skepticism
Mood
skeptical
analytical
Type
philosophical
inquisitive
When to use this quote
- journalism
- science communication
- critical thinking
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
probability
human deceit
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you verify extraordinary claims?
- What evidence convinces you of truth?
A Different Perspective
Not all false reports are intentional lies.