--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Perhaps you were right after all, my dear…" description: "\"“Perhaps you were right after all, my dear Nicolaus; perhaps there is but one god. But if that is true, you have misnamed him. He is Accident, and his ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/118/john-williams-3311_god_perhaps-you-were-right-after-all-my-dear_855593.jpg" --- # Perhaps you were right after all, my dear Nicolaus… ![“Perhaps you were right after all, my dear Nicolaus; perhaps there is but one god. But if that is true, you have misnamed him. He is Accident, and his priest is man, and that priest's only victim must be at last himself, his poor divided self.” quote by John Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/118/john-williams-3311_god_perhaps-you-were-right-after-all-my-dear_855593.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/118/john-williams-3311_god_perhaps-you-were-right-after-all-my-dear_855593.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/118/john-williams-3311_god_perhaps-you-were-right-after-all-my-dear_855593.jpg) > ““Perhaps you were right after all, my dear Nicolaus; perhaps there is but one god. But if that is true, you have misnamed him. He is Accident, and his priest is man, and that priest's only victim must be at last himself, his poor divided self.”” [John Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-williams/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker argues that the true god is Accident, with humanity as its priest, implying humans are both worshippers and victims of randomness. **In simple terms:** Accident is the deity; humans are its priests and victims. Key Takeaway Recognize randomness in life. Themes theology philosophy humanity Mood thoughtful introspective Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - personal crisis - ethical decision - spiritual doubt - self‑analysis Key Concepts determinism existentialism self‑sacrifice Questions to Reflect On - How does randomness influence your choices? - Can you accept responsibility amid chaos? A Different Perspective Accident may be a metaphor, not a literal deity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accident Priest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accident-priest-795991/) [Dear Nicolaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dear-nicolaus-795989/) [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [Man Priest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-priest-795992/) [Priest Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/priest-man-557006/) [Priest Victim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/priest-victim-795990/) ## Related quotes > [The priest is not and must not be a civil servant of the Church. 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Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-g-wells/) > [Man is priest, and scholar, and statesman, and producer, and soldier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/man-is-priest-and-scholar-and-statesman-and-producer-and-soldier/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [ “What are you?' he \[Nanapush\] said to Damien, who was deep in a meditation over his \[chess\] bishop's trajectory. 'A priest' said Father Damien… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-erdrich/what-are-you-he-nanapush-said-to-damien-who-was-deep-in-a-meditation/) [Louise Erdrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-erdrich/) > [Man is priest, and scholar, and statesman, and producer, and soldier. 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