--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Faith is believing things by definition…" description: "\"Faith is believing things by definition, which are not justified by reason. If it were justified by reason, it wouldn't be faith. It would just be ordi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecf/colin-mcginn-41529_belief_faith-is-believing-things-by-definition_2642180.png" --- # Faith is believing things by definition, which are not… ![“Faith is believing things by definition, which are not justified by reason. If it were justified by reason, it wouldn't be faith. It would just be ordinary belief. It's something you can't prove. That's what faith is, believing something you can't prove.” quote by Colin McGinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecf/colin-mcginn-41529_belief_faith-is-believing-things-by-definition_2642180.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecf/colin-mcginn-41529_belief_faith-is-believing-things-by-definition_2642180.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecf/colin-mcginn-41529_belief_faith-is-believing-things-by-definition_2642180.png) > “Faith is believing things by definition, which are not justified by reason. If it were justified by reason, it wouldn't be faith. It would just be ordinary belief. It's something you can't prove. That's what faith is, believing something you can't prove.” [Colin McGinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-mcginn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Faith is belief without rational justification, distinct from ordinary belief that can be reasoned **In simple terms:** Faith = belief without proof Key Takeaway Understand faith as non‑rational belief Themes faith epistemology belief Mood reflective skeptical Type philosophical theoretical When to use this quote - Personal convictions - religious practice - ethical decisions - public discourse Key Concepts Rationalism existentialism Questions to Reflect On - What role should faith play in public policy? - Can faith coexist with scientific understanding? A Different Perspective Faith may conflict with evidence‑based reasoning ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) ## Related quotes > [Faith is believing what we cannot prove.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/faith-is-believing-what-we-cannot-prove/) [Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/) > [Faith doesn't wait until it understands; in that case it wouldn't be faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vance-havner/faith-doesn-t-wait-until-it-understands-in-that-case-it-wouldn-t-be/) [Vance Havner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vance-havner/) > [Faith wouldn't be faith without having to trust what is unseen. That's difficult sometimes, and it's almost easier to put our trust in what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-st-james/faith-wouldn-t-be-faith-without-having-to-trust-what-is-unseen-that-s/) [Rebecca St. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-st-james/) > [I personally wouldn't be where I am without my faith. I know that for a fact.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-froning-jr/i-personally-wouldn-t-be-where-i-am-without-my-faith-i-know-that-for/) [Rich Froning Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-froning-jr/) > [If not for the producers' conviction in me, I wouldn't have had the faith to pull off 'Prince.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivek-oberoi/if-not-for-the-producers-conviction-in-me-i-wouldn-t-have-had-the/) [Vivek Oberoi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivek-oberoi/) > [I wouldn't be where I am without my faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-dalton/i-wouldn-t-be-where-i-am-without-my-faith/) [Andy Dalton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-dalton/) > [“Why do you have such faith in me, Aurelia?" "I've told you a million times that I love you, you make me feel safe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/therisa-peimer/why-do-you-have-such-faith-in-me-aurelia-i-ve-told-you-a-million/) [Therisa Peimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/therisa-peimer/) > [Miracles prove nothing except to those whose faith is bought very cheap, sir.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chabon/miracles-prove-nothing-except-to-those-whose-faith-is-bought-very/) [Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/) > [It is not necessary to move mountains in order to prove one's faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/it-is-not-necessary-to-move-mountains-in-order-to-prove-one-s-faith/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [“Science can't prove faith. The two operate in entirely different realms. Natural and spiritual.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-dellosso-frantic/science-can-t-prove-faith-the-two-operate-in-entirely-different/) Mike Dellosso Frantic > [“God stated unapologetically that conditions exist under which “you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.” But the only way we are going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/god-stated-unapologetically-that-conditions-exist-under-which-you/) [Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/) > [You call for faith: I show you doubt, to prove that faith exists. The more of doubt, the stronger faith, I say, If faith…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-browning/you-call-for-faith-i-show-you-doubt-to-prove-that-faith-exists-the/) [Robert Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-browning/) > [“Devotion is diligence without assurance. Faith is a way of saying, 'Yes, I pre-accept the terms of the universe and I am voicing in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gilbert/devotion-is-diligence-without-assurance-faith-is-a-way-of-saying-yes/) [Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/) > [He that dies a martyr proves that he was not a knave, but by no means that he was not a fool; since the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/he-that-dies-a-martyr-proves-that-he-was-not-a-knave-but-by-no-means/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [I show you doubt, to prove that faith exists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-browning/i-show-you-doubt-to-prove-that-faith-exists/) [Robert Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-browning/) ## More by Colin McGinn > [Our general repression of matters disgusting prevents us facing up to a serious health problem. If we are the 'god that shits,' then we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-mcginn/our-general-repression-of-matters-disgusting-prevents-us-facing-up-to/) [Colin McGinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-mcginn/) > [Brains cause technology, society, art, science, soap operas, sin. A remarkable set of effects for such a small chunk of coagulated atoms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-mcginn/brains-cause-technology-society-art-science-soap-operas-sin-a/) [Colin McGinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-mcginn/) > [Our treatment of animals, in every department, is deeply and systematically immoral. Becoming a vegetarian is only the most minimal ethical response to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-mcginn/our-treatment-of-animals-in-every-department-is-deeply-and/) [Colin McGinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-mcginn/) > [Tolerating somebody else's beliefs is not failing to criticize them. It's not persecuting them for having those beliefs. That is absolutely important. You should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-mcginn/tolerating-somebody-else-s-beliefs-is-not-failing-to-criticize-them/) [Colin McGinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-mcginn/) > [To me the ultimate sin was refusing to listen to reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-mcginn/to-me-the-ultimate-sin-was-refusing-to-listen-to-reason/) [Colin McGinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-mcginn/) > [It is an odd fact of evolution that we are the only species on Earth capable of creating science and philosophy. There easily could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-mcginn/it-is-an-odd-fact-of-evolution-that-we-are-the-only-species-on-earth/) [Colin McGinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-mcginn/) > [“The head spins in theoretical disarray; no explanatory model suggests itself; bizarre ontologies loom. There is a feeling of intense confusion, but no clear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-mcginn/the-head-spins-in-theoretical-disarray-no-explanatory-model-suggests/) [Colin McGinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-mcginn/) > [Once you were just insentient cells, no more aware of anything than your liver is now. Today you are brimming with consciousness. How did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-mcginn/once-you-were-just-insentient-cells-no-more-aware-of-anything-than/) [Colin McGinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-mcginn/) > [Bernard Williams has been a distinctive presence on the intellectual scene for more than three decades. . . . His writings do not offer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-mcginn/bernard-williams-has-been-a-distinctive-presence-on-the-intellectual/) [Colin McGinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-mcginn/) [Explore all 10 Colin McGinn quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-mcginn/) ## 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": "Faith is believing things by definition, which are not justified by reason. If it were justified by reason, it wouldn't be faith. It would just be ordinary belief. It's something you can't prove. 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