"Belief in a cruel God makes a cruel man"

This quote by Thomas Paine recommends that an individual's belief in a vicious God can have a direct influence by themselves character. It indicates that if an individual believes in a God who is cruel and unforgiving, then they may be most likely to act in a comparable way. This could be seen in how they treat others, or how they see the world around them. It might likewise be seen in how they see themselves, as they may be more likely to be self-critical and unforgiving of their own mistakes. Ultimately, this quote recommends that a person's belief in a vicious God can have a direct impact by themselves character and behavior.