--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Concerning the gods, I have no means of…" description: "\"Concerning the gods, I have no means of knowing either that they exist or that they do not exist, nor what sort of form they may have; there are many r..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e4/protagoras-29073_evidence_concerning-the-gods-i-have-no-means-of-k_607135.png" --- # Concerning the gods, I have no means of knowing either… ![“Concerning the gods, I have no means of knowing either that they exist or that they do not exist, nor what sort of form they may have; there are many reasons why knowledge on this subject is not possible, owing to the lack of evidence and the shortness of human life.” quote by Protagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e4/protagoras-29073_evidence_concerning-the-gods-i-have-no-means-of-k_607135.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e4/protagoras-29073_evidence_concerning-the-gods-i-have-no-means-of-k_607135.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e4/protagoras-29073_evidence_concerning-the-gods-i-have-no-means-of-k_607135.png) > “Concerning the gods, I have no means of knowing either that they exist or that they do not exist, nor what sort of form they may have; there are many reasons why knowledge on this subject is not possible, owing to the lack of evidence and the shortness of human life.” [Protagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/protagoras/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We cannot know the existence or nature of gods due to insufficient evidence and humanity’s brief lifespan, making definitive claims impossible. **In simple terms:** We lack evidence to know gods exist or not. Key Takeaway Accept uncertainty about divine matters. Themes philosophy epistemology religion skepticism Mood thoughtful reflective Type philosophical skeptical When to use this quote - theological debate - personal belief - academic discussion - interfaith dialogue Key Concepts agnosticism human limits faith knowledge gaps Questions to Reflect On - Do you think uncertainty is valuable? - How does limited evidence shape belief? A Different Perspective Evidence is limited and life is short, so certainty is unattainable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence/) [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [Gods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gods/) [Human life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-life/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) ## Related quotes > [As to the gods, I have no means of knowing either that they exist or do not exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/protagoras/as-to-the-gods-i-have-no-means-of-knowing-either-that-they-exist-or/) [Protagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/protagoras/) > [About the gods I have no means of knowing either that they exist or that they do not exist or what they are to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/protagoras/about-the-gods-i-have-no-means-of-knowing-either-that-they-exist-or/) [Protagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/protagoras/) > [“Concerning the gods I cannot know either that they exist or that they do not exist, or what form they might have, for there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/protagoras/concerning-the-gods-i-cannot-know-either-that-they-exist-or-that-they/) [Protagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/protagoras/) > [As to gods, I have no way of knowing either that they exist or do not exist, or what they are like.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/protagoras/as-to-gods-i-have-no-way-of-knowing-either-that-they-exist-or-do-not/) [Protagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/protagoras/) > [Understand that living in Gods will often means I must make decisions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ortberg/understand-that-living-in-gods-will-often-means-i-must-make-decisions/) [John Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ortberg/) > [The triumph of the philosophy of Atheism is to free man from the nightmare of gods; it means the dissolution of the phantoms of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-goldman/the-triumph-of-the-philosophy-of-atheism-is-to-free-man-from-the/) [Emma Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-goldman/) > [“As to the gods, I have no means of knowing either that they exist or do not exist. For many are the obstacles that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/as-to-the-gods-i-have-no-means-of-knowing-either-that-they-exist-or-2/) [Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) > [This atheism concerning the gods of men pertains hereafter to any possible faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ricoeur/this-atheism-concerning-the-gods-of-men-pertains-hereafter-to-any/) [Paul Ricoeur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ricoeur/) > [“Religio", as we know, harks back to a word (re-ligio) meaning "bond" and that is precisely what the anarch rejects. He does not go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernst-junger/religio-as-we-know-harks-back-to-a-word-re-ligio-meaning-bond-and/) [Ernst Jünger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernst-junger/) > [Concerning the Gods, there are those who deny the very existence of the Godhead; others say that it exists, but neither bestirs nor concerns…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/concerning-the-gods-there-are-those-who-deny-the-very-existence-of/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Blessed is he who has acquired a wealth of divine wisdom, but miserable he in whom there rests a dim opinion concerning the gods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/empedocles/blessed-is-he-who-has-acquired-a-wealth-of-divine-wisdom-but/) [Empedocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/empedocles/) > [Disbelieve nothing wonderful concerning the gods, nor concerning divine dogmas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/disbelieve-nothing-wonderful-concerning-the-gods-nor-concerning/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) > [“What I call the void is where nothing exists. It is about things outside man's knowledge. Of course the void does not exist. By…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miyamoto-musashi/what-i-call-the-void-is-where-nothing-exists-it-is-about-things/) [Miyamoto Musashi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miyamoto-musashi/) > [The discovery of God begins at understanding that He ought to exist, and ends at knowing how He could exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kedar-joshi/the-discovery-of-god-begins-at-understanding-that-he-ought-to-exist/) [Kedar Joshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kedar-joshi/) > [I think that when you don't see the boundaries, you cross them without even knowing they exist in the first place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-cotillard/i-think-that-when-you-don-t-see-the-boundaries-you-cross-them-without/) [Marion Cotillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-cotillard/) ## More by Protagoras > [ Everyone, including the Athenians \[...\] are right to accept advice from anyone, since it is incumbent on everyone to share in that sort of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/protagoras/everyone-including-the-athenians-are-right-to-accept-advice-from/) [Protagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/protagoras/) > [As to the gods, I have no means of knowing either that they exist or do not exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/protagoras/as-to-the-gods-i-have-no-means-of-knowing-either-that-they-exist-or/) [Protagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/protagoras/) > [About the gods I have no means of knowing either that they exist or that they do not exist or what they are to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/protagoras/about-the-gods-i-have-no-means-of-knowing-either-that-they-exist-or/) [Protagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/protagoras/) > [There are intelligible principles inherent in the matter of every phenomenon; because matter is essentially the sum of all the seemings that it has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/protagoras/there-are-intelligible-principles-inherent-in-the-matter-of-every/) [Protagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/protagoras/) > [Man is the measure of all things, of things that are that they are, and of things that are not that they are not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/protagoras/man-is-the-measure-of-all-things-of-things-that-are-that-they-are-and/) [Protagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/protagoras/) > [The Athenians are right to accept advice from anyone, since it is incumbent on everyone to share in that sort of excellence, or else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/protagoras/the-athenians-are-right-to-accept-advice-from-anyone-since-it-is/) [Protagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/protagoras/) > [Many things prevent knowledge, including the obscurity of the subject and the brevity of human life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/protagoras/many-things-prevent-knowledge-including-the-obscurity-of-the-subject/) [Protagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/protagoras/) > [No intelligent man believes that anybody ever willingly errs or willingly does base and evil deeds; they are well aware that all who do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/protagoras/no-intelligent-man-believes-that-anybody-ever-willingly-errs-or/) [Protagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/protagoras/) > [Man is the measure of all things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/protagoras/man-is-the-measure-of-all-things/) [Protagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/protagoras/) > [As to gods, I have no way of knowing either that they exist or do not exist, or what they are like.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/protagoras/as-to-gods-i-have-no-way-of-knowing-either-that-they-exist-or-do-not/) [Protagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/protagoras/) > [When it comes to consideration of how to do well in running the city, which must proceed entirely through justice and soundness of mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/protagoras/when-it-comes-to-consideration-of-how-to-do-well-in-running-the-city/) [Protagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/protagoras/) > [As touching the gods, I do not know whether they exist or not, nor how they are featured; for there is much to prevent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/protagoras/as-touching-the-gods-i-do-not-know-whether-they-exist-or-not-nor-how/) [Protagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/protagoras/) > [There are two sides to every question.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/protagoras/there-are-two-sides-to-every-question/) [Protagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/protagoras/) > [Let us hold our discussion together in our own persons, making trial of the truth and of ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/protagoras/let-us-hold-our-discussion-together-in-our-own-persons-making-trial/) [Protagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/protagoras/) > [“Man is the measure of all things of things that are, that they are, of things are not, that they are not”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/protagoras/man-is-the-measure-of-all-things-of-things-that-are-that-they-are-of/) [Protagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/protagoras/) [Explore all 18 Protagoras quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/protagoras/) ## More Evidence quotes > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [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/) > [We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/we-only-enter-into-the-full-life-if-our-faith-gives-thanks-because/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [Be neither too early in the fashion, nor too long out of it, nor too precisely in it; what custom hath civilized is become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-quarles/be-neither-too-early-in-the-fashion-nor-too-long-out-of-it-nor-too/) [Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/) > [“What you owe your critics are your RESULTS not explanations not defence just RESULTS.Evidence terminates Arguments.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fela-durotoye/what-you-owe-your-critics-are-your-results-not-explanations-not/) [Fela Durotoye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fela-durotoye/) > [“Dogmatism compensates for evidence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-wallace/dogmatism-compensates-for-evidence/) Dana Wallace > [“Cops aren't really your friends, they are trying to be your friends but they are not… - They are searching evidence to PIN YOU.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deyth-banger/cops-aren-t-really-your-friends-they-are-trying-to-be-your-friends/) Deyth Banger > [There's overwhelming evidence... circumstantial and otherwise, to suggest a connection between Iraq and al Qaeda.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/there-s-overwhelming-evidence-circumstantial-and-otherwise-to-suggest/) [Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/) > [Miracles are like candles lit up until the sun rises, and then blown out. Therefore, I am amused when I hear sects and churches…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/miracles-are-like-candles-lit-up-until-the-sun-rises-and-then-blown/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [“Human unhappiness is evidence of our immortality.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-rodriguez/human-unhappiness-is-evidence-of-our-immortality/) [Richard Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-rodriguez/) > [The state is in danger of falling into disrepute due to the evidence of its inadequate resources.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jurgen-habermas/the-state-is-in-danger-of-falling-into-disrepute-due-to-the-evidence/) [Jurgen Habermas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jurgen-habermas/) > [You are innocent until proven guilty. And if folks have come forward, whether it is judge Roy Moore or whether it is anyone else,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-rosendale/you-are-innocent-until-proven-guilty-and-if-folks-have-come-forward/) [Matt Rosendale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-rosendale/) > [There is still zero empirical evidence that anthropogenic production of CO2 is making any measurable contribution to the world's present warming trend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-cockburn/there-is-still-zero-empirical-evidence-that-anthropogenic-production/) [Alexander Cockburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-cockburn/) > [“‎If you regard evidence as a constraint and seek to free yourself, you sell yourself into the chains of your whims. For you cannot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eliezer-yudkowsky/if-you-regard-evidence-as-a-constraint-and-seek-to-free-yourself-you/) [Eliezer Yudkowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eliezer-yudkowsky/) > [ We have reached a situation where a theory has been accepted as fact by some, and possible contrary evidence is shunted aside. \[This is\]… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-shapiro/we-have-reached-a-situation-where-a-theory-has-been-accepted-as-fact/) [Robert Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-shapiro/) Browse all 3,643 Evidence quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Concerning the gods, I have no means of knowing either that they exist or that they do not exist, nor what sort of form they may have; there are many reasons why knowledge on this subject is not possible, owing to the lack of evidence and the shortness of human life.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Protagoras" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/protagoras/concerning-the-gods-i-have-no-means-of-knowing-either-that-they-exist/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Evidence" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/protagoras/concerning-the-gods-i-have-no-means-of-knowing-either-that-they-exist/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e4/protagoras-29073_evidence_concerning-the-gods-i-have-no-means-of-k_607135.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e4/protagoras-29073_evidence_concerning-the-gods-i-have-no-means-of-k_607135.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e4/protagoras-29073_evidence_concerning-the-gods-i-have-no-means-of-k_607135.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Concerning the gods, I have no means of knowing either that they exist or that they do not exist, nor what…” — Protagoras", "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": "Protagoras", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/protagoras/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Concerning the gods, I have no...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/protagoras/concerning-the-gods-i-have-no-means-of-knowing-either-that-they-exist/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/protagoras/concerning-the-gods-i-have-no-means-of-knowing-either-that-they-exist/#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 } } ] } ```