The sea is calm tonight. The tide is full, the moon lies fair Upon the straits;- on the French coast the light Gleams and is gone; the cliffs of England stand, glimmering and vast, out in the tranquil bay.
Matthew ArnoldRead
It is almost impossible to exaggerate the proneness of the human mind to take miracles as evidence, and to seek for miracles as evidence.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Human beings have a tendency to interpret extraordinary events as proof of their beliefs and to pursue such events as validation.
In this quote, Matthew Arnold reflects on the inherent tendency of humans to perceive extraordinary occurrences as validation for their beliefs. This highlights a psychological inclination where people may overlook rational explanations in favor of miraculous interpretations, demonstrating a deep connection between belief systems and human cognition.
Themes
MiraclesBeliefHuman MindEvidencePsychology
In practice
Example use cases
During a presentation on critical thinking, this quote can be used to highlight the importance of skepticism in evaluating evidence.
More from Matthew Arnold
All quotes βAnd each day brings it's pretty dust, Our soon-choked souls to fll And we forget because we must, And not because we will.
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To have the sense of creative activity is the great happiness and the great proof of being alive.
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Nature, with equal mind, Sees all her sons at play, Sees man control the wind, The wind sweep man away.
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Culture, the acquainting ourselves with the best that has been known and said in the world, and thus with the history of the human spirit.
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Weary of myself, and sick of asking What I am, and what I ought to be, At this vessel's prow I stand, which bears me Forwards, forwards, o'er the starlit sea.
Matthew ArnoldRead
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