'Science has fairly turned us out of our comfortable little anthropomorphic notion of things into the great out-of-doors of the universe. We must and will get used to the chill, yea, to the cosmic chill, if need be. Our religious instincts will be all the hardier for it.' (p. 2)
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Science pushes us from cozy human-centered beliefs to the vast, cold universe, but this makes our religious instincts stronger.
- In plain terms
- Science takes us out of small human views into the cold universe, which strengthens faith.
- What can you take from it?
- Facing cosmic reality strengthens faith more than comforting illusions.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can faith survive without human-centered comfort?
- Does facing the cold universe make you stronger?
Another view
Some find that losing comforting beliefs weakens their spiritual life permanently.
More from John Burroughs
'When I look up at the starry heavens at night and reflect upon what it is that I really see there, I am constrained to say, 'There is no God.' The mind stagge…
Permalink to quote #6 'We are here to see and contemplate the great spectacle.' (p.10)
Permalink to quote #8 'The deeper our insight into the methods of nature . . . the more incredible the popular Christianity seems to us.'
Permalink to quote #5
Related quotes
Whether humanity will consciously follow the law of love, I do not know. But that need not disturb me. The law will work just as the law of gravitation works, …
Mahatma GandhiMahatma Gandhi quote #247 Every failure is a step to success. Every detection of what is false directs us towards what is true: every trial exhausts some tempting form of error. Not onl…
William WhewellWilliam Whewell quote #3 'Faith' is a fine invention When Gentlemen can see - But Microscopes are prudent In an Emergency.
Emily DickinsonEmily Dickinson quote #3