--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Talking to a peasant one day, I suggested…" description: "\"Talking to a peasant one day, I suggested to him the hypothesis that there might indeed be a God who governs heaven and earth, a Consciousness or Consc..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48f/miguel-de-unamuno-2211_assuming_talking-to-a-peasant-one-day-i-suggested_3227769.png" --- # Talking to a peasant one day, I suggested to him the… ![“Talking to a peasant one day, I suggested to him the hypothesis that there might indeed be a God who governs heaven and earth, a Consciousness or Conscience of the Universe, but that even so it would not be sufficient reason to assume that the soul of every man was immortal in the traditional and…” quote by Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48f/miguel-de-unamuno-2211_assuming_talking-to-a-peasant-one-day-i-suggested_3227769.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48f/miguel-de-unamuno-2211_assuming_talking-to-a-peasant-one-day-i-suggested_3227769.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48f/miguel-de-unamuno-2211_assuming_talking-to-a-peasant-one-day-i-suggested_3227769.png) > “Talking to a peasant one day, I suggested to him the hypothesis that there might indeed be a God who governs heaven and earth, a Consciousness or Conscience of the Universe, but that even so it would not be sufficient reason to assume that the soul of every man was immortal in the traditional and concrete sense. And he replied, "Then what good is God?” [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The dialogue questions the utility of belief in a governing deity when it does not guarantee belief in an immortal soul, highlighting a philosophical tension between divine governance and personal immortality. **In simple terms:** Questioning God’s purpose if it doesn’t assure an immortal soul. Key Takeaway Consider how belief in a higher power shapes moral outlook. Themes theology philosophy existentialism mortality Mood thought‑provoking philosophical inquisitive Type religious existential When to use this quote - personal crises - ethical decision‑making - spiritual exploration - academic debate Key Concepts metaphysics faith human purpose skepticism Questions to Reflect On - What does belief in God mean without belief in an immortal soul? - Can moral behavior exist without belief in an afterlife? A Different Perspective May not address practical implications of belief for daily life. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Conscience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscience/) [Consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consciousness/) [Earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earth/) [Heaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven/) [Heaven and earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven-and-earth/) [Immortality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immortality/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Peasants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peasants/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) [Universe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universe/) ## Related quotes > [The almighty and everywhere present power of God; whereby, as it were by his hand, he upholds and governs heaven, earth, and all creatures;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pollan/the-almighty-and-everywhere-present-power-of-god-whereby-as-it-were/) [Michael Pollan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pollan/) > [“Time is conscience of the universe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raheel-farooq/time-is-conscience-of-the-universe/) [Raheel Farooq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raheel-farooq/) > [The hypothesis of God offers no worthwhile explanation for anything, for it simply postulates what we are trying to explain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/the-hypothesis-of-god-offers-no-worthwhile-explanation-for-anything/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [How can this strange story of God made flesh, of a crucified Savior, of resurrection and new creation become credible for those whose entire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesslie-newbigin/how-can-this-strange-story-of-god-made-flesh-of-a-crucified-savior-of/) [Lesslie Newbigin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesslie-newbigin/) > [On pragmatistic principles, if the hypothesis of God works satisfactorily in the widest sense of the word, it is true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-james/on-pragmatistic-principles-if-the-hypothesis-of-god-works/) [William James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-james/) > [Science offers us an explanation of how complexity (the difficult) arose out of simplicity (the easy). The hypothesis of God offers no worthwhile explanation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/science-offers-us-an-explanation-of-how-complexity-the-difficult/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [“For modern cosmology God cannot be a working hypothesis because God is not given to us in the observable nature of things. The poetic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-joseph-hoffmann/for-modern-cosmology-god-cannot-be-a-working-hypothesis-because-god/) [R. Joseph Hoffmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-joseph-hoffmann/) > [“And some scientists and other intellectuals are convinced—too eagerly in my view—that the question of God's existence belongs in the forever inaccessible PAP category.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/and-some-scientists-and-other-intellectuals-are-convinced-too-eagerly/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [“The hypothesis of God, for instance, gives an incomparably absolute opportunity to understand everything and know absolutely nothing. Give man an extremely simplified system…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arkady-strugatsky/the-hypothesis-of-god-for-instance-gives-an-incomparably-absolute/) [Arkady Strugatsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arkady-strugatsky/) > [“One reader of an early draft of this chapter complained at this point, saying that by treating the hypothesis of God as just one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-c-dennett/one-reader-of-an-early-draft-of-this-chapter-complained-at-this-point/) [Daniel C. Dennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-c-dennett/) > [“The Qur’an promoted work and trade and defined commercial profit as “God’s bounty.”38 The Prophet, himself a merchant, is on the record with such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mustafa-akyol/the-qur-an-promoted-work-and-trade-and-defined-commercial-profit-as/) [Mustafa Akyol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mustafa-akyol/) > [“There are times when the burden of need and our own limitations might tempt us to become discouraged. But precisely then we are helped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/there-are-times-when-the-burden-of-need-and-our-own-limitations-might/) [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) > [I don't believe that my destiny is who is in the hands of men, whether they control the industry or not. That's not who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-roumie/i-don-t-believe-that-my-destiny-is-who-is-in-the-hands-of-men-whether/) [Jonathan Roumie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-roumie/) > [I have lived a long time, sir, and the longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this truth - that God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/i-have-lived-a-long-time-sir-and-the-longer-i-live-the-more/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: “that God governs in the affairs of man.” And if a sparrow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-marshall/longer-i-live-the-more-convincing-proofs-i-see-of-this-truth-that-god/) [Peter Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-marshall/) ## More by Miguel de Unamuno > [The pessimism that protests and defends itself cannot be truly said to be pessimism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/the-pessimism-that-protests-and-defends-itself-cannot-be-truly-said/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [We should try to be the parents of our future rather than the offspring of our past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/we-should-try-to-be-the-parents-of-our-future-rather-than-the/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [We never know, believe me, when we have succeeded best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/we-never-know-believe-me-when-we-have-succeeded-best/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [A lot of good arguments are spoiled by some fool who knows what he is talking about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/a-lot-of-good-arguments-are-spoiled-by-some-fool-who-knows-what-he-is/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [Philosophy fulfills the need to create for ourselves a single and complete concept of the world and of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/philosophy-fulfills-the-need-to-create-for-ourselves-a-single-and/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [None are so likely to believe too little as those who have begun by believing too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/none-are-so-likely-to-believe-too-little-as-those-who-have-begun-by/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [The devil is an angel too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/the-devil-is-an-angel-too/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [My work...is to shatter the faith of men here, there, and everywhere, faith in affirmation, faith in negation, and faith in abstention from faith,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/my-work-is-to-shatter-the-faith-of-men-here-there-and-everywhere/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [“I must not throw away my village to win my soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/i-must-not-throw-away-my-village-to-win-my-soul/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [Everything that exalts and expands consciousness is good, while that which depresses and diminishes it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/everything-that-exalts-and-expands-consciousness-is-good-while-that/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [Was man made for science, or was science made for man?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/was-man-made-for-science-or-was-science-made-for-man/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [We need God, not in order to understand the why, but in order to feel and sustain the ultimate wherefore, to give a meaning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/we-need-god-not-in-order-to-understand-the-why-but-in-order-to-feel/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [Science says: 'We must live,' and seeks the means of prolonging, increasing, facilitating and amplifying life, of making it tolerable and acceptable, wisdom says:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/science-says-we-must-live-and-seeks-the-means-of-prolonging/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [To love with the spirit is to pity, and he who pities most loves most.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/to-love-with-the-spirit-is-to-pity-and-he-who-pities-most-loves-most/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [These terrible sociologists, who are the astrologers and alchemists of our twentieth century.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/these-terrible-sociologists-who-are-the-astrologers-and-alchemists-of/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) [Explore all 153 Miguel de Unamuno quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) ## More Assuming quotes > [Some books are not read in the right way because they have skipped a stage of opinion, assume a crystallization of information in society…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/some-books-are-not-read-in-the-right-way-because-they-have-skipped-a/) [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) > [Our young Marines of today are courageous, willing to make sacrifices, and are marvelous team players. I am confident our Corps, and indeed our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-t-conway/our-young-marines-of-today-are-courageous-willing-to-make-sacrifices/) James T. Conway > [Everyone assumes writers spend their time lounging around, writing and occasionally striking a pose whilst having a think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-sheridan/everyone-assumes-writers-spend-their-time-lounging-around-writing-and/) [Sara Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-sheridan/) > [Islam never differentiates between men and women as regards political rights and puts them on an equal footing. However, even if a woman is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yusuf-al-qaradawi/islam-never-differentiates-between-men-and-women-as-regards-political/) [Yusuf al-Qaradawi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yusuf-al-qaradawi/) > [Whatever your conscious mind assumes and believes to be true, your subconscious mind will accept and bring to pass. Believe in good fortune, divine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-murphy/whatever-your-conscious-mind-assumes-and-believes-to-be-true-your/) [Joseph Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-murphy/) > [Assuming normal winter weather, we currently anticipate the coal markets to remain difficult through 2015; while we always strive to operate a full capacity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-craft/assuming-normal-winter-weather-we-currently-anticipate-the-coal/) [Joe Craft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-craft/) > [A state of mind is something that one assumes. It cannot be purchased, it must be created.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/a-state-of-mind-is-something-that-one-assumes-it-cannot-be-purchased/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [One must believe that every living thing whatsoever must change insensibly in its organization and in its form... One must therefore never expect to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-baptiste-lamarck/one-must-believe-that-every-living-thing-whatsoever-must-change/) [Jean-Baptiste Lamarck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-baptiste-lamarck/) > [I think the biggest problem working with me would be that I'm an only child, and so I have an internal dialogue that goes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maynard-james-keenan/i-think-the-biggest-problem-working-with-me-would-be-that-i-m-an-only/) [Maynard James Keenan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maynard-james-keenan/) > [It is worth noticing that those who assume an imposing demeanor and seek to pass themselves off for something beyond what they are, are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-whately/it-is-worth-noticing-that-those-who-assume-an-imposing-demeanor-and/) [Richard Whately](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-whately/) > [People just assume that if you're famous, you're in Hollywood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-fox/people-just-assume-that-if-you-re-famous-you-re-in-hollywood/) [Megan Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-fox/) > [The behavior of any bureaucratic organization can best be understood by assuming that it is controlled by a secret cabal of its enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-conquest/the-behavior-of-any-bureaucratic-organization-can-best-be-understood/) [Robert Conquest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-conquest/) > [Humans suffer from self-centred notions as to the nature of life. 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Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) Browse all 2,452 Assuming quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Talking to a peasant one day, I suggested to him the hypothesis that there might indeed be a God who governs heaven and earth, a Consciousness or Conscience of the Universe, but that even so it would not be sufficient reason to assume that the soul of every man was immortal in the traditional and concrete sense. 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