--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When once a man is determined to believe…" description: "\"“When once a man is determined to believe, the very absurdity of the doctrine does but confirm him in his faith.”\" — Junius" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/562/junius-25643_faith_when-once-a-man-is-determined-to-believe_1756673.jpg" --- # When once a man is determined to believe, the very… ![“When once a man is determined to believe, the very absurdity of the doctrine does but confirm him in his faith.” quote by Junius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/562/junius-25643_faith_when-once-a-man-is-determined-to-believe_1756673.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/562/junius-25643_faith_when-once-a-man-is-determined-to-believe_1756673.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/562/junius-25643_faith_when-once-a-man-is-determined-to-believe_1756673.jpg) > ““When once a man is determined to believe, the very absurdity of the doctrine does but confirm him in his faith.”” [Junius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junius/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Strong belief can persist despite absurdity, as conviction reinforces itself. **In simple terms:** Faith persists despite absurdity. Key Takeaway Examine the basis of your convictions. Themes faith belief psychology Mood contemplative critical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - religious practice - political ideology - personal decisions - education Key Concepts cognitive dissonance confirmation bias Questions to Reflect On - Why do we cling to irrational beliefs? - How can doubt be constructive? A Different Perspective Blind faith can ignore evidence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Absurdity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absurdity/) [Absurdity Doctrine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absurdity-doctrine-1653438/) [Believe Absurdity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe-absurdity-1653436/) [Confirm Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confirm-faith-1653437/) [Determined Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determined-believe-1653439/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) ## Related quotes > [When a person is determined to believe something, the very absurdity of the doctrine confirms them in their faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junius/when-a-person-is-determined-to-believe-something-the-very-absurdity/) [Junius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junius/) > [“Some stories have to be written because no one would believe the absurdity of it all.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/some-stories-have-to-be-written-because-no-one-would-believe-the/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [I have come not to disturb or destroy any faith, but to confirm each in his own faith - so that the Christian becomes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sathya-sai-baba/i-have-come-not-to-disturb-or-destroy-any-faith-but-to-confirm-each/) [Sathya Sai Baba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sathya-sai-baba/) > [You can accomplish anything, if you are focused and determined, believe in yourself, and get education and certifications that will give you confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessi-combs/you-can-accomplish-anything-if-you-are-focused-and-determined-believe/) [Jessi Combs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessi-combs/) > [So many times, people told me I can't do this or can't do that. My nature is that I don't listen very well. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chantal-sutherland/so-many-times-people-told-me-i-can-t-do-this-or-can-t-do-that-my/) [Chantal Sutherland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chantal-sutherland/) > [Do not believe in an absurdity no matter who says it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/do-not-believe-in-an-absurdity-no-matter-who-says-it/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [He who can lead you to believe an absurdity can lead you to commit an atrocity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/he-who-can-lead-you-to-believe-an-absurdity-can-lead-you-to-commit-an/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [We all live inside the terrible engine of authority, and it grinds and shrieks and burns so that no one will say: lines on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherynne-m-valente/we-all-live-inside-the-terrible-engine-of-authority-and-it-grinds-and/) [Catherynne M. Valente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherynne-m-valente/) > [Thought of the incomprehensible sequence of changes and chances that make up a life, all the beauties and horrors and absurdities whose conjunctions create…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/thought-of-the-incomprehensible-sequence-of-changes-and-chances-that/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Such squeamish youths as cannot bear to be connected with a little absurdity are not worth a regret.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/such-squeamish-youths-as-cannot-bear-to-be-connected-with-a-little/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [One would think that a system loaded with such gross and vulgar absurdities as Scripture religion is could never have obtained credit; yet we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/one-would-think-that-a-system-loaded-with-such-gross-and-vulgar/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [Every sensible man, every honorable man, must hold the Christian sect in horror." "Christianity is the most ridiculous, the most absurd and bloody religion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/every-sensible-man-every-honorable-man-must-hold-the-christian-sect/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [For it is an absurdity to call a country civilized in which a decent and industrious man, laboriously mastering a trade which is valuble…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/for-it-is-an-absurdity-to-call-a-country-civilized-in-which-a-decent/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [Even though you can't expect to defeat the absurdity of the world, you must make that attempt. That's morality, that's religion. That's art. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-ochs/even-though-you-can-t-expect-to-defeat-the-absurdity-of-the-world-you/) [Phil Ochs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-ochs/) ## More by Junius > [“All despotism is bad; but the worst is that which works with the machinery of freedom.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junius/all-despotism-is-bad-but-the-worst-is-that-which-works-with-the/) [Junius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junius/) > [The injustice done to an individual is sometimes of service to the public.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junius/the-injustice-done-to-an-individual-is-sometimes-of-service-to-the/) [Junius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junius/) > [One precedent creates another and they soon accumulate and constitute law. What yesterday was a fact, today is doctrine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junius/one-precedent-creates-another-and-they-soon-accumulate-and-constitute/) [Junius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junius/) > [Let all your views in life be directed to a solid, however moderate, independence; without it no man can be happy, nor even honest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junius/let-all-your-views-in-life-be-directed-to-a-solid-however-moderate/) [Junius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junius/) > [I hold myself indebted to any one from whose enlightened understanding another ray of knowledge communicates to mine. Really to inform the mind is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junius/i-hold-myself-indebted-to-any-one-from-whose-enlightened/) [Junius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junius/) > [It is a maxim received in life that, in general, we can determine more wisely for others than for ourselves. The reason of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junius/it-is-a-maxim-received-in-life-that-in-general-we-can-determine-more/) [Junius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junius/) > [Compassion to an offender who has grossly violated the laws is, in effect, a cruelty to the peaceable subject who has observed them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junius/compassion-to-an-offender-who-has-grossly-violated-the-laws-is-in/) [Junius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junius/) > [Notable talents are not necessarily connected with discretion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junius/notable-talents-are-not-necessarily-connected-with-discretion/) [Junius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junius/) > [The right of election is the very essence of the constitution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junius/the-right-of-election-is-the-very-essence-of-the-constitution/) [Junius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junius/) > [When a person is determined to believe something, the very absurdity of the doctrine confirms them in their faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junius/when-a-person-is-determined-to-believe-something-the-very-absurdity/) [Junius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junius/) > [The lives of the best of us are spent in choosing between evils.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junius/the-lives-of-the-best-of-us-are-spent-in-choosing-between-evils/) [Junius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junius/) > [How much easier is it to be generous than just.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junius/how-much-easier-is-it-to-be-generous-than-just/) [Junius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junius/) > [The integrity of men is to be measured by their conduct, not by their professions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junius/the-integrity-of-men-is-to-be-measured-by-their-conduct-not-by-their/) [Junius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junius/) > [There is a holy, mistaken zeal in politics, as well as in religion. By persuading others, we convince ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junius/there-is-a-holy-mistaken-zeal-in-politics-as-well-as-in-religion-by/) [Junius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junius/) > [Oppression is more easily endured than insult.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junius/oppression-is-more-easily-endured-than-insult/) [Junius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junius/) [Explore all 22 Junius quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junius/) ## More Absurdity quotes > [Even though you can't expect to defeat the absurdity of the world, you must make that attempt. That's morality, that's religion. That's art. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-ochs/even-though-you-can-t-expect-to-defeat-the-absurdity-of-the-world-you/) [Phil Ochs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-ochs/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [For it is an absurdity to call a country civilized in which a decent and industrious man, laboriously mastering a trade which is valuble…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/for-it-is-an-absurdity-to-call-a-country-civilized-in-which-a-decent/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [Every sensible man, every honorable man, must hold the Christian sect in horror." "Christianity is the most ridiculous, the most absurd and bloody religion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/every-sensible-man-every-honorable-man-must-hold-the-christian-sect/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [One would think that a system loaded with such gross and vulgar absurdities as Scripture religion is could never have obtained credit; yet we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/one-would-think-that-a-system-loaded-with-such-gross-and-vulgar/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [Such squeamish youths as cannot bear to be connected with a little absurdity are not worth a regret.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/such-squeamish-youths-as-cannot-bear-to-be-connected-with-a-little/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [Thought of the incomprehensible sequence of changes and chances that make up a life, all the beauties and horrors and absurdities whose conjunctions create…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/thought-of-the-incomprehensible-sequence-of-changes-and-chances-that/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [We all live inside the terrible engine of authority, and it grinds and shrieks and burns so that no one will say: lines on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherynne-m-valente/we-all-live-inside-the-terrible-engine-of-authority-and-it-grinds-and/) [Catherynne M. Valente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherynne-m-valente/) > [Desire is this absurdity that holds open the infinity of possibility. Ever optimistic, ever resourceful, desire tells us what it sees as it speeds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-farley/desire-is-this-absurdity-that-holds-open-the-infinity-of-possibility/) [Wendy Farley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-farley/) > [I've always felt that comedy doesn't just come from misery. It comes from an absurdity around that misery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-amstell/i-ve-always-felt-that-comedy-doesn-t-just-come-from-misery-it-comes/) [Simon Amstell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-amstell/) > [Unaware of the absurdity of it, we introduce our own petty household rules into the economy of the universe for which the life of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-herzen/unaware-of-the-absurdity-of-it-we-introduce-our-own-petty-household/) [Alexander Herzen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-herzen/) > [“Christianity would be helpless without the idea of free will and the idea of free will would be helpless without incongruity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kedar-joshi/christianity-would-be-helpless-without-the-idea-of-free-will-and-the/) [Kedar Joshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kedar-joshi/) > [Sensible Catholics have for generations been ignoring the views on contraception held by reactionary old men in the Vatican, but alas, since it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-c-grayling/sensible-catholics-have-for-generations-been-ignoring-the-views-on/) [A.C. Grayling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-c-grayling/) > [The tales of our exploits will survive as long as the human voice itself,' he said. 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