Book-of-job Quote by Michelle Latiolais
““But then again, that's what the Book of Job was about to her, a cautionary tale about wanting there to be a God, wanting there to be someone who could enact what a God could enact, or who could sanction what the Devil would do. You want this, people? You want these kinds of powers? No, you don't, and here's why, and here's why it's sheer vanity to want them in any other entity. Look what sort of violence would rain down. Poor Job, sure, poor Job with his hives and his financial losses — though who needs three thousand camels? — and too bad about the kids, forgive me, they were delicious, so sweet and so cold, sure, too bad, but it's God who's the miserable bastard here. Look what he got himself up to! No good could come of that type of power; that's what the writer of the Book of Job was saying, and she knew the writer was right.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Last Days of the World, 2020
The quote warns that seeking divine‑like power leads to vanity and destructive consequences, as illustrated by Job’s suffering.
In simple terms: Desiring godlike power is vain and dangerous.
Key Takeaway
Beware of overreaching for ultimate control.
Themes
hubris
power
faith
consequences
vanity
Mood
cautionary
reflective
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- technological AI
- personal ambition
Key Concepts
theology
ethics
human limitation
Questions to Reflect On
- Is all power inherently corrupt?
- Can humility temper the pursuit of influence?
A Different Perspective
Overlooks the potential for benevolent use of power.
![“The notion that evil is non-rational is a more significant claim for Eagleton than at first appears, because he is (in this book [ On Evil ] as in others of his recent 'late period' prolific burst) anxious to rewrite theology: God (whom he elsewhere tells us is nonexistent, but this is no barrier…” quote by A.C. Grayling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6a5/a-c-grayling-9398_atheism_the-notion-that-evil-is-non-rational-is_599668.jpg)
