Suns are extinguished or become corrupted, planets perish and scatter across the wastes of the sky; other suns are kindled, new planets formed to make their revolutions or describe new orbits, and man, an infinitely minute part of a globe which itself is only an imperceptible point in the immense whole, believes that the universe is made for himself.
Interpretation
The quote reflects on the insignificance of humanity in the vast universe and challenges egocentric views.
Baron D'Holbach's quote encapsulates a humbling perspective of humanity's place in the universe. It highlights the impermanence and transience of celestial bodies, suggesting that while stars and planets undergo cycles of existence, mankind often deludes itself into believing that the universe revolves around its own existence. This statement prompts a reflection on humility and the need to recognize that we are merely a small part of something infinitely larger than ourselves.
In practice
In a debate about environmentalism, this quote can highlight our interconnectedness with the universe and the importance of caring for our planet.
People have suffered and become insane for centuries by the thought of eternal punishment after death. Wouldn't it be better to depend on blind matter... than a god who puts out traps for people, invites them to sin, and allows them to sin and commit crimes he could prevent. Only to finally get the barbarian pleasure to punish them in an excessive way, of no use for himself, without them changing their ways and without their example preventing others from committing crimes.
Tolerance and freedom of thought are the veritable antidotes to religious fanaticism.
If we go back to the beginnings of things, we shall always find that ignorance and fear created the gods; that imagination, rapture and deception embellished them; that weakness worships them; that custom spares them; and that tyranny favors them in order to profit from the blindness of men.
To discover the true principles of Morality, men have no need of theology, of revelation, or of gods: They have need only of common sense.
Money poisons you when you've got it, and starves you when you haven't.
One thing only do I know for certain and that is that man's judgments of value follow directly his wishes for happiness-that, accordingly, they are an attempt to support his illusions with arguments. [p.111]
We're all going to die, all of us, what a circus!
If something is right (or wrong) for us, it’s right (or wrong) for others. It follows that if it’s wrong for Cuba, Nicaragua, Haiti, and a long list of others to bomb Washington and New York, then it’s wrong for Rumsfeld to bomb Afghanistan (on much flimsier pretexts), and he should be brought before war crimes trials.
The end may justify the means as long as there is something that justifies the end.
When you read about a car crash in which two or three youngsters are killed, do you pause to dwell on the amount of love and treasure and patience parents poured into bodies no longer suitable for open caskets?
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