Quotes With Meaning
Is it more probable that nature should go out of her course or that a man should tell a lie? We have never seen, in our time, nature go out of her course. But we have good reason to believe that millions of lies have been told in the same time. It is therefore at least millions to one that the reporter of a miracle tells a lie.
Is it more probable that nature should go out of her course or that a man should tell a lie? We have never seen, in our time, nature go out of her course. But we have good reason to believe that millions of lies have been told in the same time. It is therefore at least millions to one that the reporter of a miracle tells a lie.
This quote by Thomas Paine questions the reliability of miraculous claims compared to the certainty of nature's consistency. He argues that in our experience, nature follows its established laws without deviation, whereas humans frequently deceive. By emphasizing that countless lies have been told throughout history, he suggests that it is far more likely for a person to misrepresent the truth than for nature to act against its own principles. The implication here is that we should approach extraordinary claims, such as miracles, with skepticism unless we have compelling evidence. Paine's perspective encourages a mindset rooted in reason and critical thinking, appealing to our understanding of reality. In a world where misinformation can easily spread, his assertion serves as a reminder to prioritize evidence and rationality in our beliefs and decisions. Ultimately, believing in miracles without evidence may lead us away from the freedom of thought that reason provides.