Inspirational Quote by Daniel Defoe
![“But, he says again, if God much strong, much might as the Devil, why God no kill the Devil, so make him no more do wicked? I was strangely surprised at his question, [...] And at first I could not tell what to say, so I pretended not to hear him...” quote by Daniel Defoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b82/daniel-defoe-1971_inspirational_but-he-says-again-if-god-much-strong-muc_614161.jpg)
““But, he says again, if God much strong, much might as the Devil, why God no kill the Devil, so make him no more do wicked? I was strangely surprised at his question, [...] And at first I could not tell what to say, so I pretended not to hear him...””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Robinson Crusoe, 1719
The speaker questions why an omnipotent God does not simply eliminate evil, highlighting the difficulty of reconciling divine power with the existence of wickedness.
In simple terms: Why doesn’t God just kill the Devil?
Key Takeaway
Consider the limits of power and moral complexity.
Themes
theology
philosophy
evil
free will
Mood
thoughtful
curious
skeptical
Type
philosophical
theological
When to use this quote
- religious debate
- ethical discussions
- personal crisis
- theological study
Key Concepts
Divine omnipotence
theodicy
moral responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this question reveal about human expectations of divine justice?
- How might suffering serve a purpose beyond punishment?
A Different Perspective
The problem of evil may be more nuanced than simple elimination.
