--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is convenient that there be gods, and…" description: "\"It is convenient that there be gods, and, as it is convenient, let us believe there are.\" — Ovid" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7b/ovid-276_believe_it-is-convenient-that-there-be-gods-and_27652.png" --- # It is convenient that there be gods, and, as it is… ![“It is convenient that there be gods, and, as it is convenient, let us believe there are.” quote by Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7b/ovid-276_believe_it-is-convenient-that-there-be-gods-and_27652.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7b/ovid-276_believe_it-is-convenient-that-there-be-gods-and_27652.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7b/ovid-276_believe_it-is-convenient-that-there-be-gods-and_27652.png) > “It is convenient that there be gods, and, as it is convenient, let us believe there are.” [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Humans create deities to explain the unknown and to satisfy psychological needs, but these beliefs persist because they are convenient, not because they are true. **In simple terms:** Convenient gods ease existential anxiety. Key Takeaway Belief in gods often serves practical comfort. Themes existentialism psychology mythology skepticism cultural anthropology Mood reflective skeptical thoughtful Type philosophical observational critical When to use this quote - seeking meaning in chaos - cultural rituals - political propaganda - personal crisis - moral justification Key Concepts human cognition faith comfort convenience Practical Applications - critical thinking education - secular counseling Questions to Reflect On - Why do people cling to convenient beliefs despite evidence? - How does convenience shape religious narratives? A Different Perspective Some argue that belief in gods provides social cohesion and moral frameworks beyond mere convenience. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) [Convenient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/convenient/) [Convenient Gods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/convenient-gods-416841/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [Gods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gods/) [Gods Convenient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gods-convenient-416842/) [Let Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/let-believe-416843/) ## Related quotes > [It's useful that there should be Gods, so let's believe there are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/it-s-useful-that-there-should-be-gods-so-let-s-believe-there-are/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Let those who believe, believe. Let those who doubt, doubt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-see/let-those-who-believe-believe-let-those-who-doubt-doubt/) [Lisa See](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-see/) > [The more confident you are, the more you can let go and believe that the people you've chosen to be in your circle are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-sixx/the-more-confident-you-are-the-more-you-can-let-go-and-believe-that/) [Nikki Sixx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-sixx/) > [You have to not let yourself believe you can't. Do what you can do within the framework of what you have, and don't look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melvin-van-peebles/you-have-to-not-let-yourself-believe-you-can-t-do-what-you-can-do/) [Melvin Van Peebles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melvin-van-peebles/) > [Let's create, not destroy. Let's believe and not doubt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-hough/let-s-create-not-destroy-let-s-believe-and-not-doubt/) [Derek Hough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-hough/) > [“Only when we begin to let what we believe affect what we do are we able to embrace the process of formation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-ashcraft/only-when-we-begin-to-let-what-we-believe-affect-what-we-do-are-we/) [Mike Ashcraft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-ashcraft/) > [“If you let what you believe about yourself—and what other people believe about you—define your life, that would be a tragedy. You’ll never find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadie-robertson/if-you-let-what-you-believe-about-yourself-and-what-other-people/) [Sadie Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadie-robertson/) > [“It's sad that sometimes we let ourselves believe that if it's not bad, it must be good.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-murphy/it-s-sad-that-sometimes-we-let-ourselves-believe-that-if-it-s-not-bad/) [Julie Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-murphy/) > [I pull you from your tower, take away your pain. Show you all the beauty you possess, if you only let yourself believe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-mclachlan/i-pull-you-from-your-tower-take-away-your-pain-show-you-all-the/) [Sarah McLachlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-mclachlan/) > [“I couldn't let you believe we'd keep going, when we'd already lasted too long.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-choi/i-couldn-t-let-you-believe-we-d-keep-going-when-we-d-already-lasted/) [Susan Choi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-choi/) > [“And so, let me repeat: who wants to believe - let them believe. But I do not want to believe, I want to know.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-borun-and-a-trepka/and-so-let-me-repeat-who-wants-to-believe-let-them-believe-but-i-do/) [K. Borun and A. Trepka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-borun-and-a-trepka/) > [Let's believe that if we all stand together we're a force that can shake the whole world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-day-to-remember/let-s-believe-that-if-we-all-stand-together-we-re-a-force-that-can/) [A Day To Remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-day-to-remember/) > [“Let yourself believe no means no and you give them the power to end your career. No dosen't mean no, it means not yet.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/let-yourself-believe-no-means-no-and-you-give-them-the-power-to-end/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [Women need something to believe in,if you can not make them believe in you let them believe in your love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ganda-wickliffe/women-need-something-to-believe-in-if-you-can-not-make-them-believe/) [Ganda Wickliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ganda-wickliffe/) > [“There is more good than bad. Life and love win if you let them. If you believe in them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liza-palmer/there-is-more-good-than-bad-life-and-love-win-if-you-let-them-if-you/) [Liza Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liza-palmer/) ## More by Ovid > [Every woman thinks herself attractive; even the plainest is satisfied with the charms she deems that she possesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/every-woman-thinks-herself-attractive-even-the-plainest-is-satisfied/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Suppressed grief suffocates, it rages within the breast, and is forced to multiply its strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/suppressed-grief-suffocates-it-rages-within-the-breast-and-is-forced/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Honesty, by evil fortune tried, Finds in adversity the seed of praise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/honesty-by-evil-fortune-tried-finds-in-adversity-the-seed-of-praise/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [It is some alleviation to ills we cannot cure to speak of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/it-is-some-alleviation-to-ills-we-cannot-cure-to-speak-of-them/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [ A mind conscious of right laughs at the falsehoods of rumour. \[Lat., Conscia mens recti famae mendacia risit.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/a-mind-conscious-of-right-laughs-at-the-falsehoods-of-rumour-lat/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Time is generally the best doctor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/time-is-generally-the-best-doctor/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [I hate a woman who offers herself because she ought to do so, and cold and dry thinks of her sewing when making love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/i-hate-a-woman-who-offers-herself-because-she-ought-to-do-so-and-cold/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [The sea's vast depths lie open to the fish; Wherever the breezes blow the bird may fly; So to the brave man every land's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/the-sea-s-vast-depths-lie-open-to-the-fish-wherever-the-breezes-blow/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Rare is the virtue that's not ruled by Fortune, That stands unshaken even when Fortune flees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/rare-is-the-virtue-that-s-not-ruled-by-fortune-that-stands-unshaken/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Thus all things altered. Nothing dies. And here and there the unbodied spirit flies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/thus-all-things-altered-nothing-dies-and-here-and-there-the-unbodied/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [How little is the promise of the child fulfilled in the man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/how-little-is-the-promise-of-the-child-fulfilled-in-the-man/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Judgement of beauty can err, what with the wine and the dark.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/judgement-of-beauty-can-err-what-with-the-wine-and-the-dark/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Leave war to others; 'tis Protesilaus' part of love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/leave-war-to-others-tis-protesilaus-part-of-love/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Remove but the temptations of leisure, and the bow of Cupid will lose its effect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/remove-but-the-temptations-of-leisure-and-the-bow-of-cupid-will-lose/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [I am dragged along by a strange new force. Desire and reason are pulling in different directions. I see the right way and approve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/i-am-dragged-along-by-a-strange-new-force-desire-and-reason-are/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) [Explore all 771 Ovid quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) ## More Believe quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [The truth seems to be that propaganda on its own cannot force its way into unwilling minds; neither can it inculcate something wholly new;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-truth-seems-to-be-that-propaganda-on-its-own-cannot-force-its-way/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [There is no such word as item girl in the dictionary. People have created this word and I don't believe that I am an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-zariwala/there-is-no-such-word-as-item-girl-in-the-dictionary-people-have/) [Shefali Zariwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-zariwala/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. He said today he believes life begins at conception and ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/bush-reiterated-his-stand-to-conservatives-opposing-his-decision-on/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/) [Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/) > [To believe in love, to be ready to give up anything for it, to be willing to risk your life for it, is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/to-believe-in-love-to-be-ready-to-give-up-anything-for-it-to-be/) [Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/) > [That's why I don't generally talk about endorsements because I don't believe we have to tell people who to vote for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/that-s-why-i-don-t-generally-talk-about-endorsements-because-i-don-t/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [Mankind have been slow to believe that order reigns in the universe-that the world is a cosmos and a chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/mankind-have-been-slow-to-believe-that-order-reigns-in-the-universe/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [We instantly believe everything we think. Isn't that insane? It's good for us to explore the depravity of our minds, so we know we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krishna-das/we-instantly-believe-everything-we-think-isn-t-that-insane-it-s-good/) [Krishna Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krishna-das/) [Browse all 47,704 Believe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is convenient that there be gods, and, as it is convenient, let us believe there are.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ovid" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/it-is-convenient-that-there-be-gods-and-as-it-is-convenient-let-us/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Believe" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/it-is-convenient-that-there-be-gods-and-as-it-is-convenient-let-us/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7b/ovid-276_believe_it-is-convenient-that-there-be-gods-and_27652.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7b/ovid-276_believe_it-is-convenient-that-there-be-gods-and_27652.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7b/ovid-276_believe_it-is-convenient-that-there-be-gods-and_27652.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is convenient that there be gods, and, as it is convenient, let us believe there are.” — Ovid", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ovid", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It is convenient that there be...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/it-is-convenient-that-there-be-gods-and-as-it-is-convenient-let-us/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/it-is-convenient-that-there-be-gods-and-as-it-is-convenient-let-us/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```