Cases Quote by David Hume
“If God is omnipotent, omniscient and wholly good, whence evil? If God wills to prevent evil but cannot, then He is not omnipotent. If He can prevent evil but does not, then he is not good. In either case he is not God.”
About This Quote
He presents a logical argument that an omnipotent, omniscient, and wholly good God cannot coexist with evil.
In simple terms: If God is all‑powerful, all‑knowing, and all‑good, evil cannot exist.
Question the compatibility of divine attributes with evil.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- debates
- academic study
- personal belief
- moral reasoning
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do different traditions define divine power?
- Can evil be reconciled with a benevolent deity?
The argument assumes a specific definition of divine attributes.