--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If something terrible happened – such as…" description: "\"“If something terrible happened – such as war, plague or drought – people consoled themselves that ‘We all play a role in some great cosmic drama devis..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6c/yuval-noah-harari-100_nature_if-something-terrible-happened-such-as-w_3220337.jpg" --- # If something terrible happened – such as war, plague or… ![“If something terrible happened – such as war, plague or drought – people consoled themselves that ‘We all play a role in some great cosmic drama devised by the gods, or by the laws of nature. We are not privy to the script, but we can rest assured that everything happens for a purpose. Even this…” quote by Yuval Noah Harari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6c/yuval-noah-harari-100_nature_if-something-terrible-happened-such-as-w_3220337.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6c/yuval-noah-harari-100_nature_if-something-terrible-happened-such-as-w_3220337.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6c/yuval-noah-harari-100_nature_if-something-terrible-happened-such-as-w_3220337.jpg) > ““If something terrible happened – such as war, plague or drought – people consoled themselves that ‘We all play a role in some great cosmic drama devised by the gods, or by the laws of nature. We are not privy to the script, but we can rest assured that everything happens for a purpose. Even this terrible war, plague and drought have their place in the greater scheme of things. Furthermore, we can count on the playwright that the story surely has a good and meaningful ending. So even the war, plague and drought will work out for the best – if not here and now, then in the afterlife.”” [Yuval Noah Harari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuval-noah-harari/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People find comfort by believing that all events, even catastrophes, serve a larger, purposeful narrative dictated by cosmic forces. **In simple terms:** Hardships are seen as parts of a bigger plan. Key Takeaway Seek meaning beyond immediate suffering. Themes meaning purpose resilience Mood reflective hopeful somber Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - grief counseling - war trauma - pandemic response - personal loss - spiritual reflection Key Concepts existentialism narrative psychology Questions to Reflect On - How does believing in a grand script affect personal responsibility? - Can hope coexist with proactive change? A Different Perspective It may ignore human agency and the need for concrete action to prevent future tragedies. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cosmic Drama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cosmic-drama-2976825/) [Drama Devised](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drama-devised-6050749/) [Meaningful Ending](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meaningful-ending-6050751/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Plague Drought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plague-drought-5185120/) [Playwright Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playwright-story-6050750/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [“They did not believe Nature was ever askew–only inconvenient. Plague and drought were as “natural” as springtime. 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