Blame Quote by J. M. Coetzee
“Perhaps we invented the gods so that we could put the blame on them. They gave us permission to eat flesh. They gave us permission to play with unclean things. It's not our fault, it's theirs. We're just their children.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Disgrace by J. M. Coetzee, 1999
Humans create deities to shift responsibility for immoral acts onto an external power.
In simple terms: We blame gods for bad deeds.
Key Takeaway
Question responsibility instead of blaming.
Themes
religion
accountability
morality
psychology
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- ethical debates
- personal guilt
- cultural criticism
Key Concepts
theodicy
projection
social control
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you ever use external forces to excuse your actions?
- How does this belief affect moral accountability?
A Different Perspective
Attributing blame to gods can hinder personal growth and societal change.
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