Atheist Quote by Jonathan Safran Foer
““I got incerdibly heavy boots about how relatively insignificant life is, and how, compared to the universe and compared to time, it didn't even matter if I exsited at all... "Well I'm not talking about painting the Mona LIsa or curing limeter." "Yeah?" "If you hadn't done it, human history would have been one way..." "Uh-huh?" "But you did do it, so...?" I stood on the bed, pointed my fingers at the fake stars, and screamed: "I changed the course of human history!" "That's right." "I changed the universe!" "You did." "I'm God!" "You're an atheist." "I don't exist!" I fell back onto the bed, into his arms, and we cracked up together.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer, 2005
The passage satates the tension between human insignificance in the cosmos and the desire to feel meaningful through personal actions.
In simple terms: We feel tiny yet crave impact.
Key Takeaway
Embrace humility while valuing personal contributions.
Themes
existentialism
meaning
humor
humanity
selfworth
Mood
reflective
playful
thoughtful
Type
literary
dialogue
philosophical
When to use this quote
- everyday conversations
- creative writing
- philosophical debates
- artistic expression
Key Concepts
cosmic perspective
personal agency
absurdity
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance feeling small with wanting to matter?
- What actions feel truly impactful?
A Different Perspective
It may overlook structural forces that limit individual influence.
