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It is the want to know the end that makes us believe in God, or witchcraft, believe, at least, in something
Truman Capote
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The desire to understand the ultimate truths of existence leads people to believe in higher powers or mystical forces.

This quote by Truman Capote suggests that the human inclination to seek certainty about the future or the finality of life drives individuals to place their faith in deities, supernatural forces, or similar constructs. Our quest for knowledge and understanding often leads to the adoption of beliefs that offer comfort and explanation, even when they may not be based on empirical evidence.

Themes

BeliefFaithKnowledgeCertaintySupernatural

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about the nature of faith during a philosophy class.

More from Truman Capote

I want to still be me when I wake up one fine morning and have breakfast at Tiffany´s.
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All writing, all art, is an act of faith. If one tries to contribute to human understanding, how can that be called decadent? It's like saying a declaration of love is an act of decadence. Any work of art, provide it springs from a sincere motivation to further understanding between people, is an act of faith and therefore is an act of love.
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No one will ever know what 'In Cold Blood' took out of me. It scraped me right down to the marrow of my bones. It nearly killed me. I think, in a way, it did kill me.
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Hot weather opens the skull of a city, exposing its white brain, and its heart of nerves, which sizzle like the wires inside a lightbulb. And there exudes a sour extra-human smell that makes the very stone seem flesh-alive, webbed and pulsing.
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I don't want to own anything until I find a place where me and things go together.
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The quietness of his tone italicized the malice of his reply.
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