Absurdity Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“Among the sayings and discourses imputed to him (i.e. Jesus) by his biographers, I find many passages of fine imagination, correct morality, and of the most lovely benevolence; and others again of so much ignorance, so much absurdity, so much untruth, charlatanism, and imposture, as to pronounce it impossible that such contradictions should have proceeded from the same being.”
About This Quote
Biographers attribute both noble and flawed statements to Jesus, creating a paradox of character.
In simple terms: Stories about Jesus contain both admirable and contradictory claims.
Key Takeaway
Question the consistency of historical portrayals.
Themes
faith
history
contradiction
critical thinking
Mood
skeptical
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- religious study
- historical analysis
- personal belief formation
Key Concepts
biography
mythmaking
moral evaluation
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile conflicting accounts?
- What evidence supports each view?
A Different Perspective
Contradictions may stem from biased sources or mythic embellishment.
![“...it is not to be understood that I am with him [Jesus] in all his doctrines. I am a Materialist, he takes the side of spiritualism; he preaches the efficacy of repentance toward forgiveness of sin. I require a counterpoise of good works to redeem it... Among the sayings & discourses imputed to…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/06a/thomas-jefferson-43_absurdity_it-is-not-to-be-understood-that-i-am-wit_1394038.jpg)
![“[States and the Federal government are] coordinate departments of one simple and integral whole... The one is the domestic, the other the foreign branch of the same government.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/401/thomas-jefferson-43_branches_states-and-the-federal-government-are-co_2619.jpg)
![“Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period and pursued unalterably through every change of ministers, too plainly prove a deliberate, systematic plan of reducing [a people] to slavery.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/00c/thomas-jefferson-43_change_single-acts-of-tyranny-may-be-ascribed-t_5515.jpg)
![“Though you cannot see, when you take one step, what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice, and plain dealing, and never fear their leading you out of [any difficult situation] in the easiest manner possible...” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ebe/thomas-jefferson-43_difficult_though-you-cannot-see-when-you-take-one_9828.jpg)
