--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is remarkable that almost all speakers…" description: "\"It is remarkable that almost all speakers and writers feel it to be incumbent on them, sooner or later, to prove or acknowledge the personality of God...." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d8c/henry-david-thoreau-20_acknowledge_it-is-remarkable-that-almost-all-speaker_816389.jpg" --- # It is remarkable that almost all speakers and writers feel… ![“It is remarkable that almost all speakers and writers feel it to be incumbent on them, sooner or later, to prove or acknowledge the personality of God. Some Earl of Bridgewater, thinking it better late than never, has provided for it in his will. It is a sad mistake.” quote by Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d8c/henry-david-thoreau-20_acknowledge_it-is-remarkable-that-almost-all-speaker_816389.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d8c/henry-david-thoreau-20_acknowledge_it-is-remarkable-that-almost-all-speaker_816389.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d8c/henry-david-thoreau-20_acknowledge_it-is-remarkable-that-almost-all-speaker_816389.jpg) > “It is remarkable that almost all speakers and writers feel it to be incumbent on them, sooner or later, to prove or acknowledge the personality of God. Some Earl of Bridgewater, thinking it better late than never, has provided for it in his will. It is a sad mistake.” [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Thoreau critiques the habit of people claiming divine authority to legitimize their words, seeing it as a misguided attempt to gain credibility. **In simple terms:** People often invoke God to support their ideas, which Thoreau sees as a mistake. Key Takeaway Question the need to appeal to a deity for validation. Themes religion authority credibility Mood reflective critical Type philosophical skeptical When to use this quote - public speaking - writing - political discourse - personal belief - ethical debates Key Concepts theism ego rhetoric Questions to Reflect On - Why do we feel compelled to cite a higher power? - What alternatives exist for establishing credibility? 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White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-g-white/) ## More by Henry David Thoreau > [If ever I did a man any goodof course it was something exceptional and insignificant compared with the good or evil which I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/if-ever-i-did-a-man-any-goodof-course-it-was-something-exceptional/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. 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