Famous quote by Joyce Cary

"God is a character, a real and consistent being, or He is nothing. If God did a miracle He would deny His own nature and the universe would simply blow up, vanish, become nothing"

About this Quote

The quote by Joyce Cary presents a philosophical point of view on the nature of God, challenging conventional understandings of wonders. At its core, the quote suggests that God is either a constant and coherent entity or does not exist at all. This dichotomy stresses the significance of consistency in God's nature. Cary indicates that if God were to act versus His own nature, such as performing a miracle, it would be inconsistent and destabilizing to the very fabric of presence.

The mention of a miracle is essential here, as wonders are often viewed as supernatural interventions that contravene natural laws. Cary's assertion that carrying out a wonder would mean God is rejecting His own nature suggests that God's essence is deeply intertwined with the regularity and orderliness of the universe. This raises concerns about the very definition of a miracle. If a wonder interferes with the natural order, it would imply a rupture in the intrinsic consistency credited to God, causing existential chaos.

Additionally, when Cary discusses that such an action would trigger deep space to "explode, disappear, end up being nothing", he underscores his belief in the intrinsic stability and reliability of the universe as reflections of God's nature. The universe, governed by orders, acts almost as an extension or expression of God's character. Any discrepancy from this order due to an incredible act would, according to Cary, decipher the fabric of presence itself.

In essence, Cary's quote encourages a deeper evaluation of the relationship in between divine action and the natural world. It posits that a genuinely constant divine being would operate within the parameters of His own established natural laws, and any deviation from this might only be seen as a contradiction or a type of non-existence. Through this lens, Cary welcomes us to assess the philosophical ramifications of belief in miracles and the nature of a divine being whose essence is the structure of reality itself.

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About the Author

Ireland Flag This quote is from Joyce Cary between December 7, 1888 and March 29, 1957. He/she was a famous Novelist from Ireland. The author also have 8 other quotes.
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