--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Miss Fergusson had maintained, when they…" description: "\"“Miss Fergusson had maintained, when they first stood before the haloed mountain, that there were two explanations of everything, that each required th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/724/julian-barnes-522_faith_miss-fergusson-had-maintained-when-they_2467033.png" --- # Miss Fergusson had maintained, when they first stood… ![“Miss Fergusson had maintained, when they first stood before the haloed mountain, that there were two explanations of everything, that each required the exercise of faith, and that we had been given free will in order that we might choose between them. This dilemma was to preoccupy Miss Logan for…” quote by Julian Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/724/julian-barnes-522_faith_miss-fergusson-had-maintained-when-they_2467033.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/724/julian-barnes-522_faith_miss-fergusson-had-maintained-when-they_2467033.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/724/julian-barnes-522_faith_miss-fergusson-had-maintained-when-they_2467033.png) > ““Miss Fergusson had maintained, when they first stood before the haloed mountain, that there were two explanations of everything, that each required the exercise of faith, and that we had been given free will in order that we might choose between them. This dilemma was to preoccupy Miss Logan for years to come. 7”” [Julian Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-barnes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote highlights a choice between two faith‑based explanations, emphasizing free will to decide between them. **In simple terms:** Two explanations require faith; free will lets us choose. Key Takeaway Recognize and own your choices. Themes faith free will choice existential dilemma Mood contemplative thoughtful Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - personal decision making - ethical debates - spiritual reflection Key Concepts existentialism theology philosophy Questions to Reflect On - What does faith mean to you? - How do you exercise free will? A Different Perspective Choosing between explanations can be paralyzing. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dilemma Preoccupy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dilemma-preoccupy-721081/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Faith Given](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith-given-721080/) [Fitness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fitness/) [Logan Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/logan-years-721083/) [Miss Fergusson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/miss-fergusson-721082/) ## Related quotes > [I've learned that no matter what, my faith will guide me. However I play on the field, I know my faith will guide me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-mariota/i-ve-learned-that-no-matter-what-my-faith-will-guide-me-however-i/) [Marcus Mariota](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-mariota/) > [Wherever God has given faith, it is given, among other reasons, for the very purpose of being tried.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-muller/wherever-god-has-given-faith-it-is-given-among-other-reasons-for-the/) [George Muller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-muller/) > [I'm not an evangelist Christian at all. I can't try to convert anybody. It's not in me to do that. 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People may not notice at the time,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-barnes/you-put-together-two-things-that-have-not-been-put-together-before/) [Julian Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-barnes/) > [“I settled into a contented routine of working, spending my free time with Veronica and, back in my student room, wanking explosively to fantasies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-barnes/i-settled-into-a-contented-routine-of-working-spending-my-free-time/) [Julian Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-barnes/) > [The greatest patriotism is to tell your country when it is behaving dishonorably, foolishly, viciously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-barnes/the-greatest-patriotism-is-to-tell-your-country-when-it-is-behaving/) [Julian Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-barnes/) > [“There is only good vodka and very good vodka—there is no such thing as bad vodka.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-barnes/there-is-only-good-vodka-and-very-good-vodka-there-is-no-such-thing/) [Julian Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-barnes/) > [Alice Munro can move characters through time in a way that no other writer can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-barnes/alice-munro-can-move-characters-through-time-in-a-way-that-no-other/) [Julian Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-barnes/) > [How rarely do our emotions meet the object they seem to deserve? 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