"Mr. Tennyson has said that more things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of, but he wisely refrains from saying whether they are good or bad things"

This quote by Samuel Butler is a reflection on the power of prayer. Mr. Tennyson has actually recommended that prayer can bring about more than we can picture, but Butler is cautioning us to think about the implications of this power. He is suggesting that prayer can produce both good and bad outcomes, which we need to be mindful of this when we pray. He is likewise suggesting that we ought to take care not to overstate the power of prayer, as it is not a guarantee of success. Butler is highlighting the value of bearing in mind the effects of our prayers, and of knowing the capacity for both great and bad results. Ultimately, he is recommending that prayer is an effective tool, but one that must be used with caution and factor to consider.