“It is hard to see how a great man can be an atheist. Without the sustaining influence of faith in a divine power we could have little faith in ourselves. We need to feel that behind us is intelligence and love. Doubters do not achieve; skeptics do not contribute; cynics do not create. Faith is the great motive power, and no man realizes his full possibilities unless he has the deep conviction that life is eternally important, and that his work, well done, is a part of an unending plan.”
― Calvin Coolidge, former president of the US, big-time supporter of laissez-faire government, and a man who later admitted to a friend shortly before his death, "I feel I no longer fit in with these times."
I suppose at the time he was right, of course; doubters did NOT achieve because to ever express religious doubt, skepticism, or cynicism meant you were looked down upon, given that these were the days of the Monkey Trials, essentially halting you from achieving, contributing, or creating anything that anyone would take notice of. And way to go, Coolidge. Doubters don't achieve... Sorry, Mr. Einstein, but you just didn't achieve anything, what with your doubts on religion or the existence of a personal god and your theory of relativity and such! Skeptics don't contribute? Sorry, 85% of modern scientists, you just aren't really contributing anything at all! Cynics create nothing? Please. Where do I even begin with that one? How many artists do you guys know who AREN'T cynical to some extent?? Some of the best artists of current times are cynical in one way or another. Fuckin' Isaac Asimov was cynical as hell. Douglas Adams? H.P. Lovecraft?
He was right about one thing though.
"I feel I no longer fit in with these times."
Quite, Mr. Coolide. Quite.
― Calvin Coolidge, former president of the US, big-time supporter of laissez-faire government, and a man who later admitted to a friend shortly before his death, "I feel I no longer fit in with these times."
I suppose at the time he was right, of course; doubters did NOT achieve because to ever express religious doubt, skepticism, or cynicism meant you were looked down upon, given that these were the days of the Monkey Trials, essentially halting you from achieving, contributing, or creating anything that anyone would take notice of. And way to go, Coolidge. Doubters don't achieve... Sorry, Mr. Einstein, but you just didn't achieve anything, what with your doubts on religion or the existence of a personal god and your theory of relativity and such! Skeptics don't contribute? Sorry, 85% of modern scientists, you just aren't really contributing anything at all! Cynics create nothing? Please. Where do I even begin with that one? How many artists do you guys know who AREN'T cynical to some extent?? Some of the best artists of current times are cynical in one way or another. Fuckin' Isaac Asimov was cynical as hell. Douglas Adams? H.P. Lovecraft?
He was right about one thing though.
"I feel I no longer fit in with these times."
Quite, Mr. Coolide. Quite.
