If you have the guts to be yourself, other people'll pay your price.
John UpdikeRead
Belief, like love, must be voluntary.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Belief should be given freely, just like love; it cannot be forced.
John Updike emphasizes the importance of voluntary consent in both belief and love. He suggests that genuine belief, akin to authentic love, cannot be coerced or compelled; it must arise freely from the individual for it to be true and meaningful.
Themes
BeliefLoveVoluntaryFreedomGenuine
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about relationships, one might say, 'Belief, like love, must be voluntary' to emphasize personal autonomy.
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To guarantee the individual maximum freedom within a social frame of minimal laws ensures - if not happiness - its hopeful pursuit.
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