“An omnipotent being could rule the course of this world in such a way that none of us should discover the hidden springs of action.”

— William Crookes

Address to the Society for Psychical Research (1897)
Context: An omnipotent being could rule the course of this world in such a way that none of us should discover the hidden springs of action. He need not make the sun stand still upon Gibeon. He could do all that he wanted by the expenditure of infinitesimal diverting force upon ultra-microscopic modifications of the human germ.

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 3, 2021. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "An omnipotent being could rule the course of this world in such a way that none of us should discover the hidden spring…" by William Crookes?

William Crookes photo

William Crookes46

British chemist and physicist 1832–1919

Related quotes

“Even using self determination we should establish a rule to help us gain validity. It is true that it is us who examine our conscience, but a prolonged education in the perception of values makes our conscience a better tool for decision. It is also very important to think of our action as being valid for all, as if everyone in our place should act this way.”

Aldo Capitini (1899–1968) Italian philosopher and political activist

Hymn

“We none of us find as much kindness in this world as we should.”

Arthur Golden book Memoirs of a Geisha

Source: Memoirs of a Geisha

“While we seek to fill up life in a way that will best secure the ends of our existence here, our whole plan and course of action should be such as will not hinder but serve our preparation for a future world.”

Albert Barnes (1798–1870) American theologian

Source: Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895), P. 383.

“On the determinist hypothesis an omnipotent God could have prevented all sin by creating us with better natures and in more favourable surroundings. … Hence we should not be responsible for our sins to God.”

J. M. E. McTaggart (1866–1925) British philosopher

Some Dogmas of Religion (1906), p. 165.

“The belief that there is some hidden cabal directing the course of events is a type of anthropomorphism – a way of finding agency in the entropy of history.”

John Gray (1948) British philosopher

In the Puppet Theatre: Puppetry, Conspiracy and Ouija Boards (p. 133)
The Soul of the Marionette: A Short Enquiry into Human Freedom (2015)

“She dwelt among the untrodden ways
Beside the springs of Dove,
A maid whom there were none to praise
And very few to love:”

William Wordsworth book Lyrical Ballads

She Dwelt Among the Untrodden Ways, st. 1 (1799).
Lyrical Ballads (1798–1800)

“Could anyone in his right mind speak seriously of any limited nuclear war? It should be quite clear that the aggressor's actions will instantly and inevitably trigger a devastating counterstroke by the other side. None but completely irresponsible people could maintain that a nuclear war may be made to follow rules adopted beforehand, with nuclear missiles exploding in a "gentlemanly manner" over strictly designated targets and sparing the population.”

Dmitriy Ustinov (1908–1984) Soviet military commander and politician

As quoted in Pravda (25 July 1981); also in Russian Roulette : The Superpower Game (1982) by Arthur M. Cox, p. 10.

“The situation outlined is immaterial to us. We could help humanity, but there is no reason that we should. Humanity is a transient factor and is none of our concern.”

Clifford D. Simak book A Choice of Gods

Source: A Choice of Gods (1972), Chapter 22 (p. 130)

“Despite the roar of voices wanting to equate strategy with ambition, leadership, “vision,” planning, or the economic logic of competition, strategy is none of these. The core of strategy work is always the same: discovering the critical factors in a situation and designing a way of coordinating and focusing actions to deal with those factors.”

Richard Rumelt (1942) American economist

Source: Good Strategy Bad Strategy, 2011, p. 3

“Remember that the actions of a few, with commitment, can alter the course of world history.”

Joni Madraiwiwi (1957–2016) Fijian politician

Address to Greenpeace, Suva, 10 July 2005.

Related topics