--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As we shall see, the concept of time has…" description: "\"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..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cc/stephen-hawking-389_augustine_as-we-shall-see-the-concept-of-time-has_2844330.jpg" --- # As we shall see, the concept of time has no meaning before… ![“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…” quote by Stephen Hawking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cc/stephen-hawking-389_augustine_as-we-shall-see-the-concept-of-time-has_2844330.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cc/stephen-hawking-389_augustine_as-we-shall-see-the-concept-of-time-has_2844330.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cc/stephen-hawking-389_augustine_as-we-shall-see-the-concept-of-time-has_2844330.jpg) > “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.” [Stephen Hawking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hawking/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. 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? 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Time didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hawking/so-when-people-ask-me-if-i-believe-god-created-the-universe-i-tell/) [Stephen Hawking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hawking/) > [“St. Augustine accepted a date of about 5000 B.C. for the Creation of the universe according to the book of Genesis. (It is interesting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hawking/st-augustine-accepted-a-date-of-about-5000-b-c-for-the-creation-of/) [Stephen Hawking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hawking/) > [Time has no meaning except that which we give it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trinity-chasara/time-has-no-meaning-except-that-which-we-give-it/) [Trinity Chasara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trinity-chasara/) > [You love her. (Shanus) I barely know her. (Wulf) Time has no meaning to the heart. 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