Able Quote by Epicurus
“The gods can either take away evil from the world and will not, or, being willing to do so, cannot; or they neither can nor will, or lastly, they are both able and willing. If they have the will to remove evil and cannot, then they are not omnipotent. If they can, but will not, than they are not benevolent. If they are neither able nor willing, then they are neither omnipotent nor benevolent. Lastly, if they are both able and willing to annihilate evil, how does it exist?”
About This Quote
Source Philosophical Treatise: Letter to Menoeceus, c. 300 BC
If a deity can both prevent and desire to prevent evil, contradictions arise, challenging notions of omnipotence and benevolence.
In simple terms: Gods can’t be both all‑powerful and all‑good if evil exists.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions about divine power and moral nature.
Themes
theodicy
philosophy
divine attributes
logic
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
theological
When to use this quote
- debates on evil
- religious education
- philosophical seminars
- personal belief reflection
Key Concepts
theology
ethics
metaphysics
Questions to Reflect On
- Is evil a necessary contrast for free will?
- Can a limited deity still be worthy of worship?
A Different Perspective
Human free will may explain evil without limiting divine power.
