--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: People never cease to project on to God…" description: "\"People never cease to project on to God their individual and collective obsessions, so that they can appropriate and make use of him. But they ought to..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/611/olivier-clement-51726_appropriate_people-never-cease-to-project-on-to-god_136508.png" --- # People never cease to project on to God their individual… ![“People never cease to project on to God their individual and collective obsessions, so that they can appropriate and make use of him. But they ought to understand that God cannot be apprehended from without, as if he were an object, for with him there is no outside nor can the Creator be set side…” quote by Olivier Clement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/611/olivier-clement-51726_appropriate_people-never-cease-to-project-on-to-god_136508.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/611/olivier-clement-51726_appropriate_people-never-cease-to-project-on-to-god_136508.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/611/olivier-clement-51726_appropriate_people-never-cease-to-project-on-to-god_136508.png) > “People never cease to project on to God their individual and collective obsessions, so that they can appropriate and make use of him. But they ought to understand that God cannot be apprehended from without, as if he were an object, for with him there is no outside nor can the Creator be set side by side with the creature.” [Olivier Clement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivier-clement/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human projections onto God reflect personal obsessions, but God cannot be objectified; the divine transcends external concepts. **In simple terms:** People project their wishes onto God, but God is beyond objects. Key Takeaway Recognize limits of projecting onto the divine. Themes theology philosophy projection Mood contemplative serious Type theological philosophical When to use this quote - spiritual practice - philosophical discourse - personal reflection Key Concepts transcendence human desire Questions to Reflect On - How does projection shape belief? - What does it mean to know God without object? A Different Perspective Risk of anthropomorphizing the divine. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Creator](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creator/) [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [Obsession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obsession/) [Obsessions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obsessions/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Side by side](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/side-by-side/) ## Related quotes > [It is not insignificant that my first apprehension of the love of God was granted in an experience with my father. 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Arasthus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/obsessed-p-p-vexed-by-an-evil-spirit-like-the-gadarene-swine-and/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## More by Olivier Clement > [Prayer and Theology are inseparable. True Theology is the adoration offered by the intellect. The intellect clarifies the moment of prayer, but only prayer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivier-clement/prayer-and-theology-are-inseparable-true-theology-is-the-adoration/) [Olivier Clement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivier-clement/) > [The kenosis of the Son reveals the mystery of God who is Love. This gift of life is an extension of a mysterious exchange…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivier-clement/the-kenosis-of-the-son-reveals-the-mystery-of-god-who-is-love-this/) [Olivier Clement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivier-clement/) > [St. Seraphim, like Francis of Assisi, talked to animals. One day two nuns saw him deep in conversation with a bear. 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