Belief in god Quote by William Somerset Maugham
““Philip exulted, as he had exulted in his boyhood when the weight of a belief in God was lifted from his shoulders: it seemed to him that the last burden of responsibility was taken from him; and for the first time he was utterly free. His insignificance was turned to power, and he felt himself suddenly equal with the cruel fate which had seemed to persecute him; for, if life was meaningless, the world was robbed of its cruelty. What he did or left undone did not matter. Failure was unimportant and success amounted to nothing. He was the most inconsiderate creature in that swarming mass of mankind which for a brief space occupied the surface of the earth; and he was almighty because he had wrenched from chaos the secret of its nothingness. Thoughts came tumbling over one another in Philip’s eager fancy, and he took long breaths of joyous satisfaction. He felt inclined to leap and sing. He had not been so happy for months.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Of Human Bondage, 1915
Philip feels liberated after shedding belief in God, seeing life as meaningless, gaining power through embracing nothingness and rejecting moral weight.
In simple terms: He feels free when belief is gone, seeing life as meaningless.
Key Takeaway
Embrace freedom by letting go of imposed meanings.
Themes
freedom
existentialism
nihilism
power
meaninglessness
Mood
liberated
detached
reflective
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- personal crisis
- spiritual doubt
- creative inspiration
- philosophical reflection
Key Concepts
existential freedom
nihilistic insight
psychological liberation
Questions to Reflect On
- What responsibilities remain when belief is discarded?
- How does meaninglessness affect ethical choices?
A Different Perspective
Such freedom can lead to moral apathy and loss of purpose.
