Augustine Quote by Stephen Hawking
“As we shall see, the concept of time has no meaning before the beginning of the universe. This was first pointed out by St. Augustine. When asked: What did God do before he created the universe? Augustine didn't reply: He was preparing Hell for people who asked such questions. Instead, he said that time was a property of the universe that God created, and that time did not exist before the beginning of the universe.”
About This Quote
Source Lecture: "The Beginning of Time" referencing St. Augustine, 2000s
Time is a property of the universe, not existing before creation; divine questions about “before” are meaningless.
In simple terms: Time began with the universe.
Key Takeaway
Consider time as a created dimension.
Themes
cosmology
philosophy
theology
time
existence
Mood
inquisitive
contemplative
Type
academic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- scientific education
- theological debate
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
temporal ontology
big bang theory
metaphysics
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “no time before” imply for purpose?
- How do you reconcile science and faith?
A Different Perspective
Human intuition struggles with non‑linear concepts.
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