Absurd Quote by Baron d'Holbach
“Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is an absurd one. What is most repellent in the System of Nature - after the recipe for making eels from flour - is the audacity with which it decides that there is no God, without even having tried the impossibility. If God did not exist, he would have to be invented." But all nature cries aloud that he does exist: that there is a supreme intelligence, an immense power, an admirable order, and everything teaches us our own dependence on it.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Letters on the Natural Religion, Baron d'Holbach, 1763
The quote argues that both absolute doubt and absolute certainty are problematic, suggesting that the universe shows signs of intelligence despite philosophical skepticism.
In simple terms: Both extreme doubt and certainty are flawed; nature hints at a higher order.
Key Takeaway
Recognize uncertainty while staying open to wonder.
Themes
philosophy
theology
skepticism
nature
Mood
contemplative
curious
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- debates on existence
- science and religion discussions
Key Concepts
metaphysics
epistemology
cosmology
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence supports a higher order?
- How do we balance doubt and belief?
A Different Perspective
Absolute certainty can ignore evidence; extreme doubt can paralyze action.
