Attributes Quote by Horace Mann
“We conceive of immortality as having a beginning, but no end; but we conceive of eternity as having neither beginning nor end. Hence it is proper to speak of eternity as the attribute of God, but of immortality as the attribute of man.”
About This Quote
The quote distinguishes between immortality—finite beginning but no end, a human attribute—and eternity—no beginning or end, a divine attribute, highlighting differing metaphysical scopes.
In simple terms: Immortality is human; eternity is divine.
Key Takeaway
Human vs. divine temporal concepts.
Themes
philosophy
theology
metaphysics
time
Mood
thoughtful
reflective
Type
philosophical observation
When to use this quote
- discussing afterlife beliefs
- theological debates
- literary analysis of divine nature
Key Concepts
finite vs. infinite
attribute assignment
Practical Applications
- clarify theological arguments
- frame ethical discussions about mortality
Questions to Reflect On
- How does defining immortality affect human purpose?
- Can eternity be meaningfully conceptualized by humans?
