Antagonist Quote by Thomas Paine
“But though every created thing is, in this sense, a mystery, the word mystery cannot be applied to moral truth, any more than obscurity can be applied to light. ... Mystery is the antagonist of truth. It is a fog of human invention, that obscures truth, and represents it in distortion. Truth never envelops itself in mystery, and the mystery in which it is at any time enveloped is the work of its antagonist, and never of itself.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Unknown work by Thomas Paine, 18th century
Moral truths are clear and not shrouded in mystery; mystery belongs to human invention that distorts truth.
In simple terms: Truth is not mysterious.
Key Takeaway
Seek clarity over obscurity.
Themes
truth
morality
mystery
obscurity
Mood
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- debates on ethics
- political discourse
- education
- personal decision making
Key Concepts
philosophy
ethics
epistemology
Questions to Reflect On
- What “mysteries” do you use to avoid confronting moral truths?
- How can clarity be promoted in ethical discussions?
A Different Perspective
Mysterious explanations can distract from concrete moral reasoning.
![“[A]ll churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Muslim, are simply human inventions. They use fear to enslave us. They are a monopoly for power and profit.” quote by Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70d/thomas-paine-267_christian_a-ll-churches-whether-jewish-christian-o_1729014.jpg)
