Black Quote by Mark Twain
“Leaving out the gamblers, the burglars, and the plumbers, perhaps we do put our trust in God after a fashion. But, after all, it is an overstatement. If the cholera or black plague should come to these shores, perhaps the bulk of the nation would pray to be delivered from it, but the rest would put their trust in The Health Board...”
About This Quote
The quote satirically critiques reliance on divine intervention for everyday problems while highlighting a pragmatic shift to scientific institutions when faced with crises like disease.
In simple terms: Critique of faith vs. science in emergencies.
Faith is secondary to practical solutions when stakes rise.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- pandemic outbreak
- natural disaster
- public health emergency
- societal panic
Key Concepts
Practical Applications
- policy communication
- public health messaging
Questions to Reflect On
- When do people turn to faith versus expertise?
- How does satire reveal societal priorities?