--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But if the gods only cursed us, then we…" description: "\"“But if the gods only cursed us, then we would hate them. And if they only blessed us, then—well, then we’d care nothing for their laws because we’d re..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f2/kate-elliott-14285_cursed_but-if-the-gods-only-cursed-us-then-we-w_556272.jpg" --- # But if the gods only cursed us, then we would hate them… ![“But if the gods only cursed us, then we would hate them. And if they only blessed us, then—well, then we’d care nothing for their laws because we’d respect nothing but our own pleasure.” quote by Kate Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f2/kate-elliott-14285_cursed_but-if-the-gods-only-cursed-us-then-we-w_556272.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f2/kate-elliott-14285_cursed_but-if-the-gods-only-cursed-us-then-we-w_556272.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f2/kate-elliott-14285_cursed_but-if-the-gods-only-cursed-us-then-we-w_556272.jpg) > ““But if the gods only cursed us, then we would hate them. And if they only blessed us, then—well, then we’d care nothing for their laws because we’d respect nothing but our own pleasure.”” [Kate Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-elliott/) ## 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 explores the paradox of divine favor and curse, suggesting that extreme outcomes lead to apathy toward divine law, emphasizing human self‑interest. **In simple terms:** Extreme blessings or curses cause indifference to divine law. Key Takeaway Balance divine influence with personal responsibility. Themes faith morality human nature Mood thoughtful philosophical Type literary reflective When to use this quote - moral philosophy - religious studies - personal ethics Key Concepts Divine justice free will ethical relativism Questions to Reflect On - What motivates moral behavior? - Can law exist without belief? A Different Perspective Human nature often resists authority. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Hate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hate/) ## Related quotes > [“Scummer, pox and wound rot!" roared Tunstall, slamming his fist down on the bed. "Gods cursed the pig-tarsed mammering craven currish beef-witted bum-licking gut-griping…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamora-pierce/scummer-pox-and-wound-rot-roared-tunstall-slamming-his-fist-down-on/) [Tamora Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamora-pierce/) > [Words are as they are taken, and things are as they are used. There are even cursed blessings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-hall/words-are-as-they-are-taken-and-things-are-as-they-are-used-there-are/) [Joseph Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-hall/) > [What cursed spirit of falsehood moveth priests to close themselves within stone walls for all their life, since Christ commanded all his apostles and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wycliffe/what-cursed-spirit-of-falsehood-moveth-priests-to-close-themselves/) [John Wycliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wycliffe/) > [I'm a classic example of what can happen if you follow your inner voice. I was cursed with interests and some talent in many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dirk-benedict/i-m-a-classic-example-of-what-can-happen-if-you-follow-your-inner/) [Dirk Benedict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dirk-benedict/) > [Sometimes I feel I'm being animated, but it comes off differently. Unfortunately, I was cursed with these sleepy eyes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wyatt-cenac/sometimes-i-feel-i-m-being-animated-but-it-comes-off-differently/) [Wyatt Cenac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wyatt-cenac/) > [Funny how all things people don’t understand seem to be ‘cursed’.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nnedi-okorafor/funny-how-all-things-people-don-t-understand-seem-to-be-cursed/) [Nnedi Okorafor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nnedi-okorafor/) > [A Poem from Edna St. Vincent Millay: Grown-up Was it for this I uttered prayers, And sobbed and cursed and kicked the stairs, That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edna-st-vincent-millay/a-poem-from-edna-st-vincent-millay-grown-up-was-it-for-this-i-uttered/) [Edna St. Vincent Millay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edna-st-vincent-millay/) > [ I cursed \[Larry Merchant\] out once, and I told him that he was a phony. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-holmes/i-cursed-larry-merchant-out-once-and-i-told-him-that-he-was-a-phony/) [Larry Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-holmes/) > [“My heart almost vaulted out of my chest. I was snuggled against Ryan’s shoulder. We were burrowed under the cloak and sleeping bag, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-dogra/my-heart-almost-vaulted-out-of-my-chest-i-was-snuggled-against-ryan-s/) [Sam Dogra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-dogra/) > [Too blessed to be stressed. Too blessed to be cursed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-matobo/too-blessed-to-be-stressed-too-blessed-to-be-cursed/) [Frank Matobo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-matobo/) > [I have always been cursed or blessed with this inability to hide behind anything and to just say exactly what I am experiencing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-kowalczyk/i-have-always-been-cursed-or-blessed-with-this-inability-to-hide/) [Ed Kowalczyk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-kowalczyk/) > [\[It is hard to know what is good luck and what isn't and therefore whether we should be happy or sad about it. Only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zelig-pliskin/it-is-hard-to-know-what-is-good-luck-and-what-isn-t-and-therefore/) [Zelig Pliskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zelig-pliskin/) > [Anyone who makes the life of Jewish people difficult or grievous, as did the Pharaoh, as did Hitler, will be cursed by God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/anyone-who-makes-the-life-of-jewish-people-difficult-or-grievous-as/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [“He held his hands tightly together and cursed his daughter for bringing the terrible world, with its humiliation and longing, back to his door.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maile-meloy/he-held-his-hands-tightly-together-and-cursed-his-daughter-for/) [Maile Meloy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maile-meloy/) > [You love what you do, you are cursed with it, and then you get known for being cursed with it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/armand-assante/you-love-what-you-do-you-are-cursed-with-it-and-then-you-get-known/) [Armand Assante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/armand-assante/) ## More by Kate Elliott > [“No greater bond existed than love sealed by trust.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-elliott/no-greater-bond-existed-than-love-sealed-by-trust/) [Kate Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-elliott/) > [A man gets used to riding on at the break of day. Comes to think that movement and noise is where life is, when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-elliott/a-man-gets-used-to-riding-on-at-the-break-of-day-comes-to-think-that/) [Kate Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-elliott/) > [The history of the world begins with a seed. The seed is the kernel of what you are, but it is also the promise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-elliott/the-history-of-the-world-begins-with-a-seed-the-seed-is-the-kernel-of/) [Kate Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-elliott/) > [“I had not realized how much anger I held against my heart for all the people who use others as nothing more than tools…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-elliott/i-had-not-realized-how-much-anger-i-held-against-my-heart-for-all-the/) [Kate Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-elliott/) > [“All people are bound by ties and obligations, and the most binding ties of all are those between kin.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-elliott/all-people-are-bound-by-ties-and-obligations-and-the-most-binding/) [Kate Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-elliott/) > [“Why do you ask me questions to which you already know the answer?" She tapped me on the arm with her painted fan. "To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-elliott/why-do-you-ask-me-questions-to-which-you-already-know-the-answer-she/) [Kate Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-elliott/) > [“She spoke in a caustic tone that would surely have burned out anyone else's tongue had they attempted it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-elliott/she-spoke-in-a-caustic-tone-that-would-surely-have-burned-out-anyone/) [Kate Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-elliott/) > [“I am like you, Bloodheart,” he said, his voice hoarse; but his voice always was hoarse now, for he had survived worse injuries than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-elliott/i-am-like-you-bloodheart-he-said-his-voice-hoarse-but-his-voice/) [Kate Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-elliott/) > [“We don't have to accept the things we might change.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-elliott/we-don-t-have-to-accept-the-things-we-might-change/) [Kate Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-elliott/) > [“Never let it be said that I could not talk my way out of any trouble that I could not punch.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-elliott/never-let-it-be-said-that-i-could-not-talk-my-way-out-of-any-trouble/) [Kate Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-elliott/) > [...because when beauty awes you, you must halt and try to catch your breath and your staggered heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-elliott/because-when-beauty-awes-you-you-must-halt-and-try-to-catch-your/) [Kate Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-elliott/) > [Listen, my father had written. Listen to hear if they are telling the truth or only part of the truth, for that is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-elliott/listen-my-father-had-written-listen-to-hear-if-they-are-telling-the/) [Kate Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-elliott/) > [A kiss can be like the world turning over. It can be like the tide of a dragon's dream washing through the unseen world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-elliott/a-kiss-can-be-like-the-world-turning-over-it-can-be-like-the-tide-of/) [Kate Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-elliott/) > [“Above all else, do not fear to climb the victory tower.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-elliott/above-all-else-do-not-fear-to-climb-the-victory-tower/) [Kate Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-elliott/) > [“I shall bury the blade in your skull, just above your right eye." "That's what I love about you. Your precision.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-elliott/i-shall-bury-the-blade-in-your-skull-just-above-your-right-eye-that-s/) [Kate Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-elliott/) [Explore all 47 Kate Elliott quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-elliott/) ## More Cursed quotes > [You love what you do, you are cursed with it, and then you get known for being cursed with it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/armand-assante/you-love-what-you-do-you-are-cursed-with-it-and-then-you-get-known/) [Armand Assante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/armand-assante/) > [“He held his hands tightly together and cursed his daughter for bringing the terrible world, with its humiliation and longing, back to his door.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maile-meloy/he-held-his-hands-tightly-together-and-cursed-his-daughter-for/) [Maile Meloy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maile-meloy/) > [Anyone who makes the life of Jewish people difficult or grievous, as did the Pharaoh, as did Hitler, will be cursed by God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/anyone-who-makes-the-life-of-jewish-people-difficult-or-grievous-as/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [\[It is hard to know what is good luck and what isn't and therefore whether we should be happy or sad about it. Only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zelig-pliskin/it-is-hard-to-know-what-is-good-luck-and-what-isn-t-and-therefore/) [Zelig Pliskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zelig-pliskin/) > [I have always been cursed or blessed with this inability to hide behind anything and to just say exactly what I am experiencing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-kowalczyk/i-have-always-been-cursed-or-blessed-with-this-inability-to-hide/) [Ed Kowalczyk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-kowalczyk/) > [Too blessed to be stressed. Too blessed to be cursed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-matobo/too-blessed-to-be-stressed-too-blessed-to-be-cursed/) [Frank Matobo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-matobo/) > [“My heart almost vaulted out of my chest. I was snuggled against Ryan’s shoulder. We were burrowed under the cloak and sleeping bag, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-dogra/my-heart-almost-vaulted-out-of-my-chest-i-was-snuggled-against-ryan-s/) [Sam Dogra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-dogra/) > [ I cursed \[Larry Merchant\] out once, and I told him that he was a phony. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-holmes/i-cursed-larry-merchant-out-once-and-i-told-him-that-he-was-a-phony/) [Larry Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-holmes/) > [A Poem from Edna St. Vincent Millay: Grown-up Was it for this I uttered prayers, And sobbed and cursed and kicked the stairs, That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edna-st-vincent-millay/a-poem-from-edna-st-vincent-millay-grown-up-was-it-for-this-i-uttered/) [Edna St. Vincent Millay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edna-st-vincent-millay/) > [Funny how all things people don’t understand seem to be ‘cursed’.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nnedi-okorafor/funny-how-all-things-people-don-t-understand-seem-to-be-cursed/) [Nnedi Okorafor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nnedi-okorafor/) > [Sometimes I feel I'm being animated, but it comes off differently. Unfortunately, I was cursed with these sleepy eyes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wyatt-cenac/sometimes-i-feel-i-m-being-animated-but-it-comes-off-differently/) [Wyatt Cenac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wyatt-cenac/) > [I'm a classic example of what can happen if you follow your inner voice. I was cursed with interests and some talent in many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dirk-benedict/i-m-a-classic-example-of-what-can-happen-if-you-follow-your-inner/) [Dirk Benedict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dirk-benedict/) > [What cursed spirit of falsehood moveth priests to close themselves within stone walls for all their life, since Christ commanded all his apostles and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wycliffe/what-cursed-spirit-of-falsehood-moveth-priests-to-close-themselves/) [John Wycliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wycliffe/) > [Words are as they are taken, and things are as they are used. There are even cursed blessings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-hall/words-are-as-they-are-taken-and-things-are-as-they-are-used-there-are/) [Joseph Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-hall/) > [Blessed be those happy ages that were strangers to the dreadful fury of these devilish instruments of artillery, whose inventor I am satisfied is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-cervantes/blessed-be-those-happy-ages-that-were-strangers-to-the-dreadful-fury/) [Miguel de Cervantes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-cervantes/) Browse all 443 Cursed quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“But if the gods only cursed us, then we would hate them. 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