--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The fact that there is a general belief…" description: "\"The fact that there is a general belief in a future life is no evidence of its truth\" — Clarence Darrow" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/40e/clarence-darrow-1714_belief_the-fact-that-there-is-a-general-belief_2712872.png" --- # The fact that there is a general belief in a future life… ![“The fact that there is a general belief in a future life is no evidence of its truth” quote by Clarence Darrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/40e/clarence-darrow-1714_belief_the-fact-that-there-is-a-general-belief_2712872.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/40e/clarence-darrow-1714_belief_the-fact-that-there-is-a-general-belief_2712872.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/40e/clarence-darrow-1714_belief_the-fact-that-there-is-a-general-belief_2712872.png) > “The fact that there is a general belief in a future life is no evidence of its truth” [Clarence Darrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-darrow/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Belief in an afterlife is cultural, not proof of its existence. **In simple terms:** People often assume belief equals truth. Key Takeaway Question assumptions before accepting them as fact. Themes belief afterlife evidence philosophy Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type philosophical skeptical When to use this quote - religious discussions - ethical debates - personal reflection Key Concepts faith logic skepticism Questions to Reflect On - What evidence would change your view? - Why do people cling to afterlife beliefs? A Different Perspective Belief can be meaningful even without proof. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future/) [Future life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future-life/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [“I believe that religion is the belief in future life and in God. I don't believe in either. I don't believe in God as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-darrow/i-believe-that-religion-is-the-belief-in-future-life-and-in-god-i-don/) [Clarence Darrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-darrow/) > [Religion is the belief in future life and in God. I don't believe in either.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-darrow/religion-is-the-belief-in-future-life-and-in-god-i-don-t-believe-in/) [Clarence Darrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-darrow/) > [Belief in the future life is the appetite of reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-savage-landor/belief-in-the-future-life-is-the-appetite-of-reason/) [Walter Savage Landor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-savage-landor/) > [Belief in a future life is the appetite of reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-savage-landor/belief-in-a-future-life-is-the-appetite-of-reason/) [Walter Savage Landor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-savage-landor/) > [Religion was nearly dead because there was no longer real belief in future life; but something was struggling to take its place - service…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-galsworthy/religion-was-nearly-dead-because-there-was-no-longer-real-belief-in/) [John Galsworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-galsworthy/) > [The history of our race, and each individual’s experience, are sown thick with evidence that a truth is not hard to kill and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/the-history-of-our-race-and-each-individual-s-experience-are-sown/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“There's a point where anecdotal evidence becomes truth”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/temple-grandin/there-s-a-point-where-anecdotal-evidence-becomes-truth/) [Temple Grandin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/temple-grandin/) > [The work of WikiLeaks is with principal documentary evidence; that's where the truth lies. It gets to the heart of the matter. It educates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-harrison/the-work-of-wikileaks-is-with-principal-documentary-evidence-that-s/) [Sara Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-harrison/) > [“General belief is “There is no real magic, only tricks” but a great magician compel people not to trust that belief and make them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/general-belief-is-there-is-no-real-magic-only-tricks-but-a-great/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [There are occasions when the general belief of the people, even though it be groundless, works its effect as sure as truth itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-schiller/there-are-occasions-when-the-general-belief-of-the-people-even-though/) [Friedrich Schiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-schiller/) > [“The belief in a happy "state of nature" in the remote past is derived partly from the biblical narrative of the age of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/the-belief-in-a-happy-state-of-nature-in-the-remote-past-is-derived/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [“Hope as evidence of life. Life as evidence of death.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lara-biyuts/hope-as-evidence-of-life-life-as-evidence-of-death/) [Lara Biyuts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lara-biyuts/) > [“I wondered: If my life was the only evidence that Christ was alive, would anyone be convinced?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosaria-champagne-butterfield/i-wondered-if-my-life-was-the-only-evidence-that-christ-was-alive/) [Rosaria Champagne Butterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosaria-champagne-butterfield/) > [The only evidence, so far as I know, about another life is, first, that we have no evidence; and secondly, that we are rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/the-only-evidence-so-far-as-i-know-about-another-life-is-first-that/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) > [“Yes, the existence of human life is evidence for the existence of God; but it’s much better evidence that our world was programmed by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-ellenberg/yes-the-existence-of-human-life-is-evidence-for-the-existence-of-god/) [Jordan Ellenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-ellenberg/) ## More by Clarence Darrow > [We know life is futile. A man who considers that his life is of very wonderful importance is awfully close to a padded cell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-darrow/we-know-life-is-futile-a-man-who-considers-that-his-life-is-of-very/) [Clarence Darrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-darrow/) > [Great wealth often curses all who touch it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-darrow/great-wealth-often-curses-all-who-touch-it/) [Clarence Darrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-darrow/) > [Punishment as punishment is not admissible unless the offender has had the free will to select his course.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-darrow/punishment-as-punishment-is-not-admissible-unless-the-offender-has/) [Clarence Darrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-darrow/) > [“One of the bravest, grandest champions of human liberty the world has ever seen. {Darrow on the great Robert Ingersoll }”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-darrow/one-of-the-bravest-grandest-champions-of-human-liberty-the-world-has/) [Clarence Darrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-darrow/) > [I cannot tell and I shall never know how many words of mine might have given birth to cruelty in place of love and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-darrow/i-cannot-tell-and-i-shall-never-know-how-many-words-of-mine-might/) [Clarence Darrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-darrow/) > [“As long as the world shall last there will be wrongs, and if no man objected and if no man rebelled, those wrongs would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-darrow/as-long-as-the-world-shall-last-there-will-be-wrongs-and-if-no-man/) [Clarence Darrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-darrow/) > [I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-darrow/i-have-never-killed-a-man-but-i-have-read-many-obituaries-with-great/) [Clarence Darrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-darrow/) > [Lost causes are the only ones worth fighting for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-darrow/lost-causes-are-the-only-ones-worth-fighting-for/) [Clarence Darrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-darrow/) > [One believes in the truthfulness of a man because of his long experience with the man, and because the man has always told a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-darrow/one-believes-in-the-truthfulness-of-a-man-because-of-his-long/) [Clarence Darrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-darrow/) > [Physical deformity, calls forth our charity. But the infinite misfortune of moral deformity calls forth nothing but hatred and vengeance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-darrow/physical-deformity-calls-forth-our-charity-but-the-infinite/) [Clarence Darrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-darrow/) > [Men have always been obliged to fight to preserve liberty. Constitutions and laws do not safeguard liberty. It can be preserved only by a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-darrow/men-have-always-been-obliged-to-fight-to-preserve-liberty/) [Clarence Darrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-darrow/) > [“ Robert G. Ingersoll was a great man. a wonderful intellect, a great soul of matchless courage, one of the great men of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-darrow/robert-g-ingersoll-was-a-great-man-a-wonderful-intellect-a-great-soul/) [Clarence Darrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-darrow/) > [Everybody is a potential murderer. I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-darrow/everybody-is-a-potential-murderer-i-ve-never-killed-anyone-but-i/) [Clarence Darrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-darrow/) > [The first half of our lives are ruined by our parents and the second half by our children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-darrow/the-first-half-of-our-lives-are-ruined-by-our-parents-and-the-second/) [Clarence Darrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-darrow/) > [If there is a soul, what is it, and where did it come from, and where does it go? Can anyone who is guided…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-darrow/if-there-is-a-soul-what-is-it-and-where-did-it-come-from-and-where/) [Clarence Darrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-darrow/) [Explore all 213 Clarence Darrow quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-darrow/) ## More Belief quotes > [“Cine a ucis stelele? Cine a surpat drumul spre viitor al celor din morminte?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ionel-teodoreanu/cine-a-ucis-stelele-cine-a-surpat-drumul-spre-viitor-al-celor-din/) [Ionel Teodoreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ionel-teodoreanu/) > [“MIND & GRIND Self-belief and hard work can propel you past more talented peers”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamil-ali/mind-grind-self-belief-and-hard-work-can-propel-you-past-more/) [Kamil Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamil-ali/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [It took me 20 years of hard training to get the physique I have today. what you need is what i had - BELIEF…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-warren/it-took-me-20-years-of-hard-training-to-get-the-physique-i-have-today/) [Branch Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-warren/) > [“Here is a fundamental difference between the man of faith and the man of unbelief. The unbeliever is 'of the world', judges everything by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/here-is-a-fundamental-difference-between-the-man-of-faith-and-the-man/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [“She herself vacillated when it came to belief. She did not particularly believe in God. Or, rather, she didn't believe in a particular God.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/she-herself-vacillated-when-it-came-to-belief-she-did-not/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [“Rigid traditions capture souls prisons of spiritual thought man’s religion has captured a god grown too small and very weak.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-w-earle/rigid-traditions-capture-souls-prisons-of-spiritual-thought-man-s/) [David W Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-w-earle/) > [We can find common qualities and common values that have made Britain the country it is. Our belief in tolerance and liberty which shines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-brown/we-can-find-common-qualities-and-common-values-that-have-made-britain/) [Gordon Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-brown/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [I have tried to resign myself, and to console myself; and that, I hope, I may have done imperfectly; but what I cannot firmly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-have-tried-to-resign-myself-and-to-console-myself-and-that-i-hope-i/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [In business, as in politics, it is never easy to go against the beliefs and attitudes held by the majority. The businessman who moves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-paul-getty/in-business-as-in-politics-it-is-never-easy-to-go-against-the-beliefs/) [J. Paul Getty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-paul-getty/) > [There's no greatest moment in the arts. It's a life; it's a continuity thing. You can't have a great moment because it's spiritual. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-neiman/there-s-no-greatest-moment-in-the-arts-it-s-a-life-it-s-a-continuity/) [LeRoy Neiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-neiman/) > [To preserve an unclouded capacity for the enjoyment of life is an unusual moral and psychological achievement. Contrary to popular belief, it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-branden/to-preserve-an-unclouded-capacity-for-the-enjoyment-of-life-is-an/) [Nathaniel Branden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-branden/) [Browse all 10,268 Belief quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The fact that there is a general belief in a future life is no evidence of its truth", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Clarence Darrow" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-darrow/the-fact-that-there-is-a-general-belief-in-a-future-life-is-no/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Belief" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-darrow/the-fact-that-there-is-a-general-belief-in-a-future-life-is-no/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/40e/clarence-darrow-1714_belief_the-fact-that-there-is-a-general-belief_2712872.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/40e/clarence-darrow-1714_belief_the-fact-that-there-is-a-general-belief_2712872.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/40e/clarence-darrow-1714_belief_the-fact-that-there-is-a-general-belief_2712872.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The fact that there is a general belief in a future life is no evidence of its truth” — Clarence Darrow", "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": "Clarence Darrow", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-darrow/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The fact that there is a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-darrow/the-fact-that-there-is-a-general-belief-in-a-future-life-is-no/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-darrow/the-fact-that-there-is-a-general-belief-in-a-future-life-is-no/#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 } } ] } ```