Philosophy of life Quote by Yann Martel
““...Like me, they go as far as the legs of reason will carry them-and then they leap. I'll be honest about it. It is not atheists who get stuck in my craw, but agnostics. Doubt is useful for a while. We must all pass through the garden of Gethsemene. If Christ played with doubt, so must we.If Christ spent an anguished night in prayer, if He burst out from the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" then surely we are also permitted doubt. But we must move on. To choose doubt as a philosophy of life is akin to choosing immobility as a means of transportation””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Life of Pi by Yann Martel, 2001
The passage argues that doubt is a natural, temporary part of faith, but lingering in it leads to stagnation; one must move beyond doubt to act.
In simple terms: Doubt is okay briefly, but don’t stay stuck in it.
Key Takeaway
Accept doubt, then act.
Themes
faith
doubt
action
spirituality
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal crisis
- spiritual seeking
- decision making
- overcoming paralysis
Key Concepts
theology
psychology
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you recognize when doubt is productive?
- What steps help you move beyond lingering doubt?
A Different Perspective
Doubt can become a chronic excuse for inaction.
