--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Anyway, either the gods are there whether…" description: "\"“Anyway, either the gods are there whether you believe or not, or exist only as a function of the belief, so either way you might as well ignore the wh..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eca/terry-pratchett-19_belief_anyway-either-the-gods-are-there-whether_225666.jpg" --- # Anyway, either the gods are there whether you believe or… ![“Anyway, either the gods are there whether you believe or not, or exist only as a function of the belief, so either way you might as well ignore the whole business and, as it were, eat off your knees.” quote by Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eca/terry-pratchett-19_belief_anyway-either-the-gods-are-there-whether_225666.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eca/terry-pratchett-19_belief_anyway-either-the-gods-are-there-whether_225666.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eca/terry-pratchett-19_belief_anyway-either-the-gods-are-there-whether_225666.jpg) > ““Anyway, either the gods are there whether you believe or not, or exist only as a function of the belief, so either way you might as well ignore the whole business and, as it were, eat off your knees.”” [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He suggests that gods exist regardless of belief, but their power may depend on worship, implying belief shapes divinity, yet one can ignore it altogether. **In simple terms:** Gods may exist with or without belief, but belief gives them power. Key Takeaway Question the role of belief in shaping reality. Themes faith existence skepticism power mythology Mood skeptical thoughtful playful Type philosophical humorous When to use this quote - religious debates - personal crises - creative writing - academic discussions Key Concepts philosophy theology cultural studies Questions to Reflect On - Do you think belief creates reality? - How would you live if gods were indifferent? A Different Perspective The view may oversimplify complex religious experiences and cultural nuances. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Gods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gods/) ## Related quotes > [“...either the gods are there whether you believe or not, or exist only as a function of the belief, so either way you might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/either-the-gods-are-there-whether-you-believe-or-not-or-exist-only-as/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [What Gods do you believe in? I'll build you a temple of mirrors so you can see them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-gibson/what-gods-do-you-believe-in-i-ll-build-you-a-temple-of-mirrors-so-you/) [Andrea Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-gibson/) > [Of the gods we believe, and of men we know, that by a necessary law of their nature they rule wherever they can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/of-the-gods-we-believe-and-of-men-we-know-that-by-a-necessary-law-of/) [Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) > [I believe in the gods; or rather I believe that I believe in the gods. But I don't believe that they are great brooding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-giraudoux/i-believe-in-the-gods-or-rather-i-believe-that-i-believe-in-the-gods/) [Jean Giraudoux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-giraudoux/) > [I think we can be our own gods. I believe in myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-mcgregor/i-think-we-can-be-our-own-gods-i-believe-in-myself/) [Conor McGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-mcgregor/) > [Wizards don't believe in gods in the same way that most people don't find it necessary to believe in, say, tables. They know they're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/wizards-don-t-believe-in-gods-in-the-same-way-that-most-people-don-t/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [I believe in believing. My coach John Kavanagh is a big atheist, and he is always trying to persuade people to his way of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-mcgregor/i-believe-in-believing-my-coach-john-kavanagh-is-a-big-atheist-and-he/) [Conor McGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-mcgregor/) > [“Lakewalker legends say the gods abandoned the world when the first malice came. 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Dimple arched an eyebrow. “Gods?” He nodded sagely. “As a Hindu, I’m a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandhya-menon/she-inhaled-deeply-and-sneezed-stupid-allergies-gods-bless-you-rishi/) [Sandhya Menon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandhya-menon/) > [I don't believe in symbolic gods.I believe that god exists all around us.In the flow of the river,in the rustle of the trees,in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amish-tripathi/i-don-t-believe-in-symbolic-gods-i-believe-that-god-exists-all-around/) [Amish Tripathi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amish-tripathi/) > [“Most witches don’t believe in gods. They know that the gods exist, of course. They even deal with them occasionally. 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'I'd like a hard-boiled egg,' said Vimes, shaking the match out.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/you-d-like-freedom-truth-and-justice-wouldn-t-you-comrade-sergeant/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [“You are not apprehensive, are you? I can't detect no trace of fear none whatsoever Roomy cranium all possible videos of all possible outcomes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/you-are-not-apprehensive-are-you-i-can-t-detect-no-trace-of-fear-none/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [Imagination, not intelligence, made us human.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/imagination-not-intelligence-made-us-human/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) [Explore all 3,328 Terry Pratchett quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) ## More Belief quotes > [“Cine a ucis stelele? 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