Believe Quote by John Irving
“Here in St. Cloud’s,” Dr. Larch wrote, “ I have been given the choice of playing God or leaving practically everything up to chance. It is my experience that practically everything is left up to chance much of the time; men who believe in good and evil, and who believe that good should win, should watch for those moments when it is possible to play God – we should seize those moments. There won’t be may”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The World According to Garp, 1978
The author contrasts deliberate control (playing God) with randomness, urging seizing moments of agency.
In simple terms: Choose action over chance when possible.
Key Takeaway
Act decisively when you can.
Themes
choice
agency
randomness
morality
power
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career decisions
- medical ethics
- political leadership
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
determinism
ethical decision‑making
human agency
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you taken control instead of leaving things to chance?
- What risks arise from trying to 'play God'?
A Different Perspective
Seizing control may bring unintended consequences.
![“JUST BECAUSE A BUNCH OF ATHEISTS ARE BETTER WRITERS THAN THE GUYS WHO WROTE THE BIBLE DOESN'T NECESSARILY MAKE THEM RIGHT!" [Owen Meany] said crossly. "LOOK AT THOSE WEIRDO TV MIRACLE-WORKERS--THEY'RE TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO BELIEVE IN MAGIC! BUT THE REAL MIRACLES AREN'T ANYTHING YOU CAN…” quote by John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70e/john-irving-337_atheists_just-because-a-bunch-of-atheists-are-bet_31804.jpg)
