Almighty Quote by Douglas Adams
“One day old Thrashbarg said that Almighty Bob had declared that he, Thrashbarg, was to have first pick of the sandwiches. The villagers asked him when this had happened, exactly, and Thrashbarg said it had happened yesterday, when they weren't looking. 'Have faith,' Old Thrashbarg said, 'or burn!' They let him have first pick of the sandwiches. It seemed easiest.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, 1979, Douglas Adams, 1979
A whimsical tale where a village leader claims divine right to first choice of food, using faith and fear to enforce his claim, illustrating how authority can be accepted without scrutiny.
In simple terms: Authority can be accepted through faith and fear.
Key Takeaway
Question authority and seek evidence.
Themes
authority
faith
fear
social control
Mood
humorous
critical
Type
satirical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- community decision‑making
- leadership training
- critical thinking workshops
Key Concepts
mythmaking
psychology of belief
power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do people obey unearned authority?
- How can communities resist manipulative leaders?
A Different Perspective
It uses satire, which may obscure serious implications.
![“Does God know he [exists]?" "Of course he does. Otherwise, you could not have asked the question, and I could not have answered.” quote by Douglas Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a21/douglas-adams-122_courses_does-god-know-he-exists-of-course-he-doe_26187.jpg)
