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Answers Quote by Robert Green Ingersoll

“Every cradle asks us, Whence? and every coffin, Whither? The poor barbarian, weeping above his dead, can answer these questions as intelligently as the robed priest of the most authentic creed.” quote by Robert Green Ingersoll
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“Every cradle asks us, Whence? and every coffin, Whither? The poor barbarian, weeping above his dead, can answer these questions as intelligently as the robed priest of the most authentic creed.”

Robert Green Ingersoll

About This Quote

Source Speech: Public Lecture on Mortality, 1885

Life and death are questions that both the naive and the learned answer, showing equal ignorance.

In simple terms: Both the simple and the scholarly face the same unknowns about life and death.

Key Takeaway

Embrace humility about existence.

Themes

mortality humility knowledge existence

Mood

contemplative thoughtful

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • personal reflection
  • funeral rites
  • spiritual inquiry
  • education

Key Concepts

philosophy skepticism

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does this reveal about certainty?
  • How can we live with unknowns?
A Different Perspective

Answers are limited by human perspective.

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