--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: During the youthful period of mankind's…" description: "\"“During the youthful period of mankind's spiritual evolution human fantasy created gods in man's own image, who, by the operations of their will were s..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c7/albert-einstein-33_accountability_during-the-youthful-period-of-mankind-s_2433947.jpg" --- # During the youthful period of mankind's spiritual… ![“During the youthful period of mankind's spiritual evolution human fantasy created gods in man's own image, who, by the operations of their will were supposed to determine, or at any rate to influence, the phenomenal world. Man sought to alter the disposition of these gods in his own favor by means…” quote by Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c7/albert-einstein-33_accountability_during-the-youthful-period-of-mankind-s_2433947.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c7/albert-einstein-33_accountability_during-the-youthful-period-of-mankind-s_2433947.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c7/albert-einstein-33_accountability_during-the-youthful-period-of-mankind-s_2433947.jpg) > ““During the youthful period of mankind's spiritual evolution human fantasy created gods in man's own image, who, by the operations of their will were supposed to determine, or at any rate to influence, the phenomenal world. Man sought to alter the disposition of these gods in his own favor by means of magic and prayer. The idea of God in the religions taught at present is a sublimation of that old concept of the gods. Its anthropomorphic character is shown, for instance, by the fact that men appeal to the Divine Being in prayers and plead for the fulfillment of their wishes. Nobody, certainly, will deny that the idea of the existence of an omnipotent, just, and omnibeneficent personal God is able to accord man solace, help, and guidance; also, by virtue of its simplicity it is accessible to the most undeveloped mind. But, on the other hand, there are decisive weaknesses attached to this idea in itself, which have been painfully felt since the beginning of history. That is, if this being is omnipotent, then every occurrence, including every human action, every human thought, and every human feeling and aspiration is also His work; how is it possible to think of holding men responsible for their deeds and thoughts before such an almighty Being? In giving out punishment and rewards He would to a certain extent be passing judgment on Himself. How can this be combined with the goodness and righteousness ascribed to Him? (Albert Einstein, Science, Philosophy, and Religion, A 1934 Symposium published by the Conference on Science, Philosophy and Religion in Their Relation to the Democratic Way of Life, Inc., New York, 1941; from Einstein's Out of My Later Years, Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1970, pp. 26-27.)”” [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Einstein questions the paradox of an omnipotent, personal God who seems to control all events, questioning moral responsibility and divine justice. **In simple terms:** God as all‑powerful creates moral dilemmas. Key Takeaway Question divine authority and personal accountability. Themes theology philosophy ethics human nature Mood thoughtful critical inquisitive Type philosophical theological When to use this quote - personal reflection - academic debate - spiritual inquiry - ethical decision‑making Key Concepts Omnipotence free will theodicy anthropomorphism Questions to Reflect On - How does this view affect faith and morality? A Different Perspective If God controls everything, can humans be held accountable? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accountability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accountability/) [Contradictions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contradictions/) [Evolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evolution/) [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [Invention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/invention/) [Magic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magic/) [Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) [Passing judgment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passing-judgment/) [Philosophy and religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-and-religion/) [Prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Spiritual evolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual-evolution/) [Superstition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superstition/) [Way of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way-of-life/) ## Related quotes > [During the youthful period of mankind's spiritual evolution human fantasy created gods in man's own image, who, by the operations of their will were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/during-the-youthful-period-of-mankind-s-spiritual-evolution-human/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [“I'm here on this world to leave a legacy with this life as a service to mankind in their spiritual evolution.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-de-cordova/i-m-here-on-this-world-to-leave-a-legacy-with-this-life-as-a-service/) Daniel De Cordova > [“It would be both foolish and cumbersome to continue our everyday existences in bliss without first denying to ourselves, for the sake of excusing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashim-shanker/it-would-be-both-foolish-and-cumbersome-to-continue-our-everyday/) [Ashim Shanker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashim-shanker/) > [The solution for mankind is of a spiritual nature. It is not a political or religious solution. It's the ability to love each other.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ziggy-marley/the-solution-for-mankind-is-of-a-spiritual-nature-it-is-not-a/) [Ziggy Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ziggy-marley/) > [If this being is omnipotent, then every occurrence, including every human action, every human thought, and every human feeling and aspiration is also His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/if-this-being-is-omnipotent-then-every-occurrence-including-every/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The further the spiritual evolution of mankind advances, the more certain it seems to me that the path to genuine religiosity does not lie…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-further-the-spiritual-evolution-of-mankind-advances-the-more/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [“The belief of an infinity of creative and created Gods, each more eminently requiring an intelligent author of his being than the foregoing, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/the-belief-of-an-infinity-of-creative-and-created-gods-each-more-2/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [“...The Devil would not have begun by an open and obvious sin to tempt man into doing something which God had forbidden, had not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-of-hippo/the-devil-would-not-have-begun-by-an-open-and-obvious-sin-to-tempt/) [Augustine of Hippo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-of-hippo/) > [“The belief of an infinity of creative and created Gods, each more eminently requiring an intelligent author of his being than the foregoing, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/the-belief-of-an-infinity-of-creative-and-created-gods-each-more/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [“If we go back to the beginning we shall find that ignorance and fear created the gods; that fancy, enthusiasm, or deceit adorned or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-d-holbach-2/if-we-go-back-to-the-beginning-we-shall-find-that-ignorance-and-fear/) Baron D. Holbach > [In the beginning of their end, people created their gods and their after-lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-miller/in-the-beginning-of-their-end-people-created-their-gods-and-their/) [Ryan Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-miller/) > [Fear first created the gods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-santayana/fear-first-created-the-gods/) [George Santayana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-santayana/) > [If we go back to the beginnings of things, we shall always find that ignorance and fear created the gods; that imagination, rapture and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-d-holbach/if-we-go-back-to-the-beginnings-of-things-we-shall-always-find-that/) [Baron d'Holbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-d-holbach/) > [“One of Richard Dawkins’s main God Delusion arguments is that, if God created everything, we would have to ask who created God. But the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-lennox/one-of-richard-dawkins-s-main-god-delusion-arguments-is-that-if-god/) [John C. Lennox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-lennox/) > [“It was suffering and incapacity that created all afterworlds - this, and that brief madness of bliss which is experienced only by those who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/it-was-suffering-and-incapacity-that-created-all-afterworlds-this-and/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) ## More by Albert Einstein > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The faster you go, the shorter you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-faster-you-go-the-shorter-you-are/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Common sense is nothing more than a deposit of prejudices laid down in the mind before you reach eighteen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/common-sense-is-nothing-more-than-a-deposit-of-prejudices-laid-down/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The most fundamental question we can ever ask ourselves is whether or not the universe we live in is friendly or hostile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-most-fundamental-question-we-can-ever-ask-ourselves-is-whether-or/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, of the manifestations of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty - it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/a-knowledge-of-the-existence-of-something-we-cannot-penetrate-of-the/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [You imagine that I look back on my life's work with calm satisfaction. But from nearby it looks quite different. There is not a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/you-imagine-that-i-look-back-on-my-life-s-work-with-calm-satisfaction/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The strongest force in the universe is Compound Interest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-strongest-force-in-the-universe-is-compound-interest/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The right to search for the truth implies also a duty; one must not conceal any part of what one has recognized to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-right-to-search-for-the-truth-implies-also-a-duty-one-must-not/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/everything-that-is-really-great-and-inspiring-is-created-by-the/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The world we have made is a result of the level of thinking we have done thus far.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-world-we-have-made-is-a-result-of-the-level-of-thinking-we-have/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Anyone who thinks science is trying to make human life easier or more pleasant is utterly mistaken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/anyone-who-thinks-science-is-trying-to-make-human-life-easier-or-more/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Life isn't worth living, unless it is lived for someone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/life-isn-t-worth-living-unless-it-is-lived-for-someone-else/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [“Just because you don't believe in something doesn't mean it isn't true.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/just-because-you-don-t-believe-in-something-doesn-t-mean-it-isn-t-true/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [But there is another reason for the high repute of mathematics: it is mathematics that offers the exact natural sciences a certain measure of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/but-there-is-another-reason-for-the-high-repute-of-mathematics-it-is/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/nothing-will-benefit-human-health-and-increase-the-chances-for/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) [Explore all 2,339 Albert Einstein quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) ## More Accountability quotes > [Think of these things, whence you came, where you are going, and to whom you must account.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/think-of-these-things-whence-you-came-where-you-are-going-and-to-whom/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [In the battle for police reform, accountability and justice, Americans don't have to re-invent the wheel. We just have to revoke the thing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-johnson/in-the-battle-for-police-reform-accountability-and-justice-americans/) [Jason Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-johnson/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [Democracy must be built through open societies that share information. When there is information, there is enlightenment. When there is debate, there are solutions.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/atifete-jahjaga/democracy-must-be-built-through-open-societies-that-share-information/) [Atifete Jahjaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/atifete-jahjaga/) > [Democracy is not being well served as we're accustomed to. There is less information, there's less investigation, there's less analysis, there's less accountability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-greenspon/democracy-is-not-being-well-served-as-we-re-accustomed-to-there-is/) Edward Greenspon > [I come from a world where accountability and accomplishments matter, and where titles and rhetoric take a back seat to results.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carly-fiorina/i-come-from-a-world-where-accountability-and-accomplishments-matter/) [Carly Fiorina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carly-fiorina/) > [It means a lot. It means I'm accountable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/champ-bailey/it-means-a-lot-it-means-i-m-accountable/) [Champ Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/champ-bailey/) > [Our particular principles of religion are a subject of accountability to our god alone. I enquire after no man's and trouble none with mine;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/our-particular-principles-of-religion-are-a-subject-of-accountability/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [This strongly asserted but ill-defined license to kill without accountability is not an entitlement which the United States or other states can have without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-alston/this-strongly-asserted-but-ill-defined-license-to-kill-without/) Philip Alston > [Responsible Development shares many practices with XP but the roots are different. Responsible Development's values are honesty, transparency, accountability and responsibility. 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The highest form of knowledge… is empathy, for it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bullard/opinion-is-really-the-lowest-form-of-human-knowledge-it-requires-no/) Bill Bullard > [The American people deserve accountability over wasteful spending, and we accomplish that by prioritizing taxpayer dollars in a responsive and responsible manner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-britt/the-american-people-deserve-accountability-over-wasteful-spending-and/) [Katie Britt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-britt/) > [If torture is going to be administered as a last resort in the ticking-bomb case, to save enormous numbers of lives, it ought to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-dershowitz/if-torture-is-going-to-be-administered-as-a-last-resort-in-the/) [Alan Dershowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-dershowitz/) > [“There are many professions that require individuals, on an ongoing basis, to pass drug tests, physicals and psychological evaluations in order to keep their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-hopkins/there-are-many-professions-that-require-individuals-on-an-ongoing/) [Gary Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-hopkins/) > [“Expecting accountability from the UN system was akin to expecting a blind dog to catch a flying Frisbee.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-soussan/expecting-accountability-from-the-un-system-was-akin-to-expecting-a/) Michael Soussan [Browse all 860 Accountability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accountability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“During the youthful period of mankind's spiritual evolution human fantasy created gods in man's own image, who, by the operations of their will were supposed to determine, or at any rate to influence, the phenomenal world. Man sought to alter the disposition of these gods in his own favor by means of magic and prayer. The idea of God in the religions taught at present is a sublimation of that old concept of the gods. Its anthropomorphic character is shown, for instance, by the fact that men appeal to the Divine Being in prayers and plead for the fulfillment of their wishes. Nobody, certainly, will deny that the idea of the existence of an omnipotent, just, and omnibeneficent personal God is able to accord man solace, help, and guidance; also, by virtue of its simplicity it is accessible to the most undeveloped mind. But, on the other hand, there are decisive weaknesses attached to this idea in itself, which have been painfully felt since the beginning of history. That is, if this being is omnipotent, then every occurrence, including every human action, every human thought, and every human feeling and aspiration is also His work; how is it possible to think of holding men responsible for their deeds and thoughts before such an almighty Being? In giving out punishment and rewards He would to a certain extent be passing judgment on Himself. How can this be combined with the goodness and righteousness ascribed to Him? (Albert Einstein, Science, Philosophy, and Religion, A 1934 Symposium published by the Conference on Science, Philosophy and Religion in Their Relation to the Democratic Way of Life, Inc., New York, 1941; from Einstein's Out of My Later Years, Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1970, pp. 26-27.)”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Albert Einstein" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/during-the-youthful-period-of-mankind-s-spiritual-evolution-human-2/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Accountability" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/during-the-youthful-period-of-mankind-s-spiritual-evolution-human-2/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c7/albert-einstein-33_accountability_during-the-youthful-period-of-mankind-s_2433947.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c7/albert-einstein-33_accountability_during-the-youthful-period-of-mankind-s_2433947.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c7/albert-einstein-33_accountability_during-the-youthful-period-of-mankind-s_2433947.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“During the youthful period of mankind's spiritual evolution human fantasy created gods in man's own image…” — Albert Einstein", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Albert Einstein", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“During the youthful period of mankind's...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/during-the-youthful-period-of-mankind-s-spiritual-evolution-human-2/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/during-the-youthful-period-of-mankind-s-spiritual-evolution-human-2/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```