As to the gods, I have no means of knowing either that they exist or do not exist.
ProtagorasRead
As to gods, I have no way of knowing either that they exist or do not exist, or what they are like.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Protagoras expresses skepticism about the existence and nature of gods, emphasizing the limits of human knowledge.
In this quote, Protagoras reflects on the uncertainty surrounding the existence and characteristics of deities. He acknowledges the limitations of human understanding and knowledge, suggesting that we cannot definitively prove or disprove the existence of gods or truly grasp their nature. This philosophical stance highlights the complexity of belief and the challenges in obtaining absolute truths regarding divine entities.
Themes
KnowledgeBeliefExistenceGodsPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
During a debate on religion, one could cite this quote to emphasize the importance of skepticism.
More from Protagoras
All quotes βEveryone, including the Athenians [...] are right to accept advice from anyone, since it is incumbent on everyone to share in that sort of excellence, or else there can be no city at all.
ProtagorasRead
Concerning the gods, I have no means of knowing either that they exist or that they do not exist, nor what sort of form they may have; there are many reasons why knowledge on this subject is not possible, owing to the lack of evidence and the shortness of human life.
ProtagorasRead
Many things prevent knowledge, including the obscurity of the subject and the brevity of human life
ProtagorasRead
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