First person Quote by Thomas Paine
““Revelation when applied to religion, means something communicated immediately from God to man. It is revelation to the first person only, and hearsay to every other, and, consequently, they are not obliged to believe it. It is a contradiction in terms and ideas to call anything a revelation that comes to us at second hand, either verbally or in writing. Revelation is necessarily limited to the first communication.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Thoughts on Religion, 1795
Revelation is only valid when directly received from divine source; second‑hand claims lack authority.
In simple terms: Only first‑hand divine messages count.
Key Takeaway
Seek direct understanding, not hearsay.
Themes
faith
authority
communication
epistemology
Mood
thoughtful
critical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
theological
When to use this quote
- personal spiritual experience
- theological debate
- religious teaching
Key Concepts
divine revelation
first‑hand knowledge
skepticism
Questions to Reflect On
- What counts as genuine revelation for you?
- How do you evaluate indirect spiritual teachings?
A Different Perspective
Second‑hand interpretations can still inspire meaningful insights.
