Nature never appeals to intelligence until habit and instinct are useless. There is no intelligence where there is no need of change.
H. G. WellsRead
Sailors ought never to go to church. They ought to go to hell, where it is much more comfortable.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote humorously suggests that sailors, known for their rugged and rebellious nature, would be better suited for hell than for church.
H. G. Wells's quote reflects a comedic critique of the traditional expectations of morality and piety often associated with sailors. By suggesting that sailors should go to hell instead of church, he implies that their lifestyle is more aligned with the chaotic and rebellious spirit of hell than with the disciplined and moralistic environment of a church, highlighting a humorous juxtaposition between societal norms and individual realities.
Themes
SailorsHumorChurchHellRebellion
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech at a naval reunion, one might use this quote to inject humor while discussing the rugged life of sailors.
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