Faith is rather like a rhinoceros, in fact: it won't do much in the way of real work for you, and yet at close quarters it will make spectacular claims upon your attention.[2]
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Faith does not perform practical tasks but demands significant attention when examined closely.
- In plain terms
- Faith is useless for work but very demanding when you look at it closely.
- What can you take from it?
- Faith distracts rather than accomplishes.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What demands your attention without doing work?
- How do you define faith's utility?
Another view
The metaphor might oversimplify how faith functions for some people.
More from Sam Harris
We must find our way to a time when faith, without evidence, disgraces anyone who would claim it.[2]
Permalink to quote #19 It is imperative that we begin speaking plainly about the absurdity of most of our religious beliefs.[2]
Permalink to quote #21 Religious faith is the one species of human ignorance that will not admit of even the possibility of correction.[2]
Permalink to quote #18
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