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Gods Quote by Terry Pratchett

“That’s what the gods are! An answer that will do! Because there’s food to be caught and babies to be born and life to be lived and so there is no time for big, complicated, and worrying answers! Please give us a simple answer, so that we don’t have to think, because if we think, we might find…” quote by Terry Pratchett
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““That’s what the gods are! An answer that will do! Because there’s food to be caught and babies to be born and life to be lived and so there is no time for big, complicated, and worrying answers! Please give us a simple answer, so that we don’t have to think, because if we think, we might find answers that don’t fit the way we want the world to be.””

Terry Pratchett

About This Quote

Source Book: Small Gods by Terry Pratchett, 1992

The passage satirizes humanity’s desire for simple answers to avoid complex thinking, highlighting the tension between comfort and truth.

In simple terms: People prefer simple answers to avoid thinking.

Key Takeaway

Beware oversimplification.

Themes

faith comfort complexity

Mood

critical humorous

Type

satire philosophical

When to use this quote

  • politics
  • religion
  • education
  • personal decision making

Key Concepts

cognitive ease existential dread

Questions to Reflect On

  • Why do we seek easy answers?
  • What are the costs of avoiding complexity?
A Different Perspective

Simple answers can limit growth.

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