Bad thing Quote by Samuel Butler
“Mr. Tennyson has said that more things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of, but he wisely refrains from saying whether they are good or bad things.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: "The Way of All Flesh", 1903 (quoted in essay)
Prayer influences outcomes beyond human imagination, yet its moral quality remains ambiguous, leaving results open to interpretation.
In simple terms: Prayer works, but its goodness is uncertain.
Key Takeaway
Recognize that intentions may not guarantee positive results.
Themes
faith
uncertainty
morality
prayer
outcome
Mood
thoughtful
contemplative
Type
philosophical
religious
When to use this quote
- personal decision making
- spiritual practice
- ethical reflection
Key Concepts
theology
ethics
philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you evaluate the moral impact of unseen forces?
- Can intention alone guide outcomes?
A Different Perspective
Assuming prayer always yields good may be naive.
![“[In response to Alfred Tennyson's poem "Vision of Sin," which included the line "Every moment dies a man, every moment one is born."] If this were true, the population of the world would be at a stand-still. In truth, the rate of birth is slightly in excess of death. I would suggest that the next…” quote by Charles Babbage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/88d/charles-babbage-8461_accurate_in-response-to-alfred-tennyson-s-poem-vi_598329.jpg)
