They ascribe omnipotence and omniscience to him and I…
““They ascribe omnipotence and omniscience to him and I don't know what else; it seems to me so strange that they never credit him with common-sense or allow him tolerance. If he knew as much about human nature as I do he'd know how weak men are and how little control they have over their passions, he'd know how full of fear they are and how pitiful, he'd know how much goodness there is even in the worst and how much wickedness in the best. If he's capable of feeling he must be capable of remorse, and when he considers what a hash he's made in the creation of human kind can he feel anything but that? The wonder is that he does not make use of his omnipotence to annihilate himself. Perhaps that's just what he has done.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote questions the paradox of an all‑powerful being who refrains from destroying himself despite knowing humanity’s flaws and capacities for both good and evil.
In simple terms: Even a god‑like figure may choose not to end its own existence despite knowing humanity's darkness.
Key Takeaway
Consider the responsibility that comes with great power.
Themes
power
responsibility
human nature
divine paradox
morality
Mood
thoughtful
melancholic
contemplative
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- philosophical reflection
- literary analysis
- ethical debate
- personal introspection
- spiritual contemplation
Key Concepts
theology
existentialism
free will
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean to have power without the will to use it?
- Can knowledge of human frailty justify restraint?
A Different Perspective
The argument assumes omnipotence equates to the ability to self‑annihilate, ignoring possible constraints.