--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: PREDESTINATION, n. The doctrine that all…" description: "\"PREDESTINATION, n. The doctrine that all things occur according to programme. . . . not be confused with that of foreordination. The difference is grea..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bd/ambrose-bierce-140_all-things_predestination-n-the-doctrine-that-all-t_1170253.jpg" --- # PREDESTINATION, n. The doctrine that all things occur… ![“PREDESTINATION, n. The doctrine that all things occur according to programme. . . . not be confused with that of foreordination. The difference is great enough to have deluged Christendom with ink, to say nothing of the gore.” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bd/ambrose-bierce-140_all-things_predestination-n-the-doctrine-that-all-t_1170253.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bd/ambrose-bierce-140_all-things_predestination-n-the-doctrine-that-all-t_1170253.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bd/ambrose-bierce-140_all-things_predestination-n-the-doctrine-that-all-t_1170253.jpg) > “PREDESTINATION, n. The doctrine that all things occur according to programme. . . . not be confused with that of foreordination. The difference is great enough to have deluged Christendom with ink, to say nothing of the gore.” [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Predestination is defined as a doctrine that all events follow a predetermined program, distinct from foreordination, a concept that has historically sparked intense theological debate. **In simple terms:** Predestination means events are pre‑programmed. Key Takeaway Understand the distinction between destiny and divine order. Themes theology determinism history Mood thoughtful scholarly Type philosophical theological When to use this quote - academic study - faith discussions - ethical reflections Key Concepts philosophical doctrine religious controversy Questions to Reflect On - How does predestination influence moral responsibility? - What are the implications of viewing life as pre‑programmed? A Different Perspective Interpretations vary across cultures and religions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christendom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christendom/) [Confusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confusion/) [Destiny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destiny/) [Differences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/differences/) [Doctrine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctrine/) [Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gore/) [Predestination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/predestination/) [Programming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/programming/) ## Related quotes > [I believe that nothing happens apart from divine determination and decree. 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To succumb to the preponderance of one set of influences over another set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/decide-v-i-to-succumb-to-the-preponderance-of-one-set-of-influences/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [IMMORAL, adj. Inexpedient. Whatever in the long run and with regard to the greater number of instances men find to be generally inexpedient comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/immoral-adj-inexpedient-whatever-in-the-long-run-and-with-regard-to/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [REVIEW, v.t. To set your wisdom (holding not a doubt of it./ Although in truth there's neither bone nor skin to it)/ At work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/review-v-t-to-set-your-wisdom-holding-not-a-doubt-of-it-although-in/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [CLOCK, n. 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An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/telephone-n-an-invention-of-the-devil-which-abrogates-some-of-the/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [WHANGDEPOOTENAWAH, n. In the Ojibwa tongue, disaster; an unexpected affliction that strikes hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/whangdepootenawah-n-in-the-ojibwa-tongue-disaster-an-unexpected/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Jealous, adj. Unduly concerned about the preservation of that which can be lost only if not worth keeping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/jealous-adj-unduly-concerned-about-the-preservation-of-that-which-can/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RIDICULE, n. 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A scale of taxes on imports, designed to protect the domestic producer against the greed of his consumer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/tariff-n-a-scale-of-taxes-on-imports-designed-to-protect-the-domestic/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [A bad marriage is like an electrical thrilling machine: it makes you dance, but you can't let go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/a-bad-marriage-is-like-an-electrical-thrilling-machine-it-makes-you/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Explore all 1,157 Ambrose Bierce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## More All things quotes > [Those whose life is long still strive for gain, and for all mortals all things take second place to money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/those-whose-life-is-long-still-strive-for-gain-and-for-all-mortals/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [To explicate the uses of the Brain seems as difficult a task as to paint the Soul, of which it is commonly said, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-willis/to-explicate-the-uses-of-the-brain-seems-as-difficult-a-task-as-to/) [Thomas Willis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-willis/) > [A tree is a self: it is 'unseen shaping' more than it is leaves or bark, roots or cellulose or fruit ... 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