---
title: "I believe there is something out there watching over us - unfortunate… — Woody Allen Quote #117 | QuotesBy.net"
description: "I believe there is something out there watching over us - unfortunately it's the government. — a quote by Woody Allen."
image: "https://quotesby.net/wp-content/themes/quotesby-editorial/assets/og-default.png"
---

> # I believe there is something out there watching over us - unfortunately it's the government.

[Woody Allen](https://quotesby.net/Woody-Allen)\#117

[Faith](https://quotesby.net/Woody-Allen/faith/)[Politics](https://quotesby.net/Woody-Allen/politics/)[Power](https://quotesby.net/Woody-Allen/power/)[Cynicism](https://quotesby.net/topics/cynicism/)[Privacy](https://quotesby.net/topics/privacy/)[Surveillance](https://quotesby.net/topics/surveillance/)

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## About this quote

What does it mean?The speaker expresses a cynical view that government surveillance replaces traditional divine oversight.In plain termsSomeone is watching us, but it is the government, not a god.What can you take from it?Modern surveillance mimics divine omnipresence in a negative way.

### Where it applies

- political commentary
- privacy debate
- security discussion

### Putting it to work

- discuss civil liberties
- critique state power
- analyze surveillance

### Questions to consider

- Who do you trust to watch over society?
- Is safety worth the loss of privacy?

### Another view

It equates divine care with state control.

## More from Woody Allen

1. > I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose.

[Permalink to quote \#116](https://quotesby.net/Woody-Allen/116/ "Permalink to quote 116")
2. > I do occasionally envy the person who is religious naturally, without being brainwashed into it or suckered into it by all the organized hustles.

[Permalink to quote \#118](https://quotesby.net/Woody-Allen/118/ "Permalink to quote 118")
3. > I am at two with nature.

[Permalink to quote \#115](https://quotesby.net/Woody-Allen/115/ "Permalink to quote 115")

## Related quotes

1. > To be governed is to be watched over, inspected, spied on, directed, legislated at, regulated, docketed, indoctrinated, preached at, controlled, assessed, weig…

[P. J. Proudhon](https://quotesby.net/P.-J.-Proudhon)[P. J. Proudhon quote \#2](https://quotesby.net/P.-J.-Proudhon/2/ "Permalink to quote 2")
2. > The federal government has no right to treat all Americans as criminals by spying on their relationship with their doctors, employers, or bankers.

[Ron Paul](https://quotesby.net/Ron-Paul)[Ron Paul quote \#3](https://quotesby.net/Ron-Paul/3/ "Permalink to quote 3")
3. > I have been placed under surveillance, and I can't take a step without it being known to the Polish minister of internal affairs.

[Konstantin Rokossovsky](https://quotesby.net/Konstantin-Rokossovsky)[Konstantin Rokossovsky quote \#4](https://quotesby.net/Konstantin-Rokossovsky/4/ "Permalink to quote 4")

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