--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This is a small episode in an unending…" description: "\"“This is a small episode in an unending argument between those who know they are right and therefore claim the mandate of heaven, and those who suspect..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6e/christopher-hitchens-117_atheism_this-is-a-small-episode-in-an-unending-a_2212102.jpg" --- # This is a small episode in an unending argument between… ![“This is a small episode in an unending argument between those who know they are right and therefore claim the mandate of heaven, and those who suspect that the human race has nothing but the poor candle of reason by which to light its way.” quote by Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6e/christopher-hitchens-117_atheism_this-is-a-small-episode-in-an-unending-a_2212102.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6e/christopher-hitchens-117_atheism_this-is-a-small-episode-in-an-unending-a_2212102.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6e/christopher-hitchens-117_atheism_this-is-a-small-episode-in-an-unending-a_2212102.jpg) > ““This is a small episode in an unending argument between those who know they are right and therefore claim the mandate of heaven, and those who suspect that the human race has nothing but the poor candle of reason by which to light its way.”” [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Reason is a fragile guide for humanity, often eclipsed by dogma and certainty. **In simple terms:** Human reason is weak and easily overridden. Key Takeaway Cultivate critical thinking and humility. Themes philosophy reason dogma humility Mood skeptical thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - academic debate - public discourse - personal reflection - media analysis Key Concepts epistemology skepticism Questions to Reflect On - What safeguards can protect reason in society? - How do we balance confidence with openness? A Different Perspective Reason alone cannot solve all problems. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Argument](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argument/) [Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) [Candle Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/candle-reason-4484537/) [Christianity-and-faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity-and-faith-32158/) [Human race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-race/) [Mandate Heaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mandate-heaven-1378917/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Small Episode](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/small-episode-4902863/) [Unending Argument](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unending-argument-4902862/) ## Related quotes > [Much reading is an oppression of the mind, and extinguishes the natural candle, which is the reason of so many senseless scholars in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/much-reading-is-an-oppression-of-the-mind-and-extinguishes-the/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [“(advice to his children) Much reading is an oppression of the mind, and extinguishes the natural candle, which is the reason of so many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/advice-to-his-children-much-reading-is-an-oppression-of-the-mind-and/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [“Giving is the only way to receive more.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/giving-is-the-only-way-to-receive-more/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“Keep on daring. 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Not only does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/the-prophet-who-fails-to-present-a-bearable-alternative-and-yet/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [Race is the idea that a human being is more superior than another human being, race in society grants illusional rights to mistreat each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-limn/race-is-the-idea-that-a-human-being-is-more-superior-than-another/) [Jeremy Limn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-limn/) ## More by Christopher Hitchens > [“The spirit of our accurate and exact philosophy is outraged by conclusions that contradict each other so glaringly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/the-spirit-of-our-accurate-and-exact-philosophy-is-outraged-by/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [“Many governments employ torture but this was the first time that the element of Saturnalia and pornography in the process had been made so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/many-governments-employ-torture-but-this-was-the-first-time-that-the/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [ It's \[Los Angeles\] mostly full of nonsense and delusion and egomania. 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