Quotes About Doubt

And it struck me, in that year, how deeply both faith and doubt are part of my life. We often think of them as opposites. Many books argue for one or the other. But while in some respects they are enemies, in other ways they are surprisingly alike: both are concerned with ultimate issues; both pop up unasked for at unexpected moments; both are necessary. I

Elie Wiesel, the Holocaust survivor who doubts sometimes, has written that the reason so many babies keep being born is that God loves stories. Why

Dostoyevsky, who was a believer, wrote that the "death of a single infant calls into question the existence of God."1

The character of the faith that allows us to be transformed by suffering and darkness is not doubt-free certainty; rather, it is tenacious obedience.

The boat is safe, secure, and comfortable. On the other hand, the water is rough. The waves are high. The wind is strong. There's a storm out there. And if you get out of the boat—whatever your boat might happen to be—there's a good chance you might sink.

But a philosopher named William James responded that sometimes Clifford's advice is bad strategy. He said doubt is the wrong alternative when three conditions are met: when we have live options, when the stakes are momentous, and when we must make a choice.3

Theologian Lesslie Newbigin writes that we live in an age that favors doubt over faith.4 We often speak of "blind faith" and "honest doubt.

I think that certainty is a closed door, It's the end of the conversation. Doubt is an open door.

John Patrick Shanley

I want to say to you: Doubt can be a bond as powerful and sustaining as certainty.

Doubt requires more courage than conviction does, and more energy; because conviction is a resting place and doubt is infinite - it is a passionate exercise.

I still long for a shared certainty, an assumption of safety, the reassurance of believing that others know better than me what's for the best. But I have been led by the bitter necessities of an interesting life to value that age-old practice of the wise: Doubt.

I think [doubt is] perceived in this culture as something weak or denatured, and that's a huge mistake. Conviction is what you do to be comfortable, to write The End on thinking. Doubt keeps you in the present, it keeps you conscious and reacting to and acting on what is going on now. It's work, and people like to avoid work.

though there is no question, as it turns out, that there can be a great deal of difference between belief and truth; yet, given a choice, either will do at two in the morning.

All of that is far beyond my ability to understand it, though I have no trouble whatsoever in believing it. After all, if understanding were essential to belief, more people would fish on Sunday.

but you can't ever be sure about a white man, and if you've got one that believes in virgin births, risin' from the dead, and God punishin' two nekkid people for wantn an education, you need to watch his ass ever' minute of the day.

In a society of ideological believers, nothing is more ridiculous than the individual who doubts and does not conform.

Many of our most serious conflicts are conflicts within ourselves. Those who suppose their judgements are always consistent are unreflective or dogmatic.

here. Nobody's

She made a moue, then said, "There's one exception. If he is, in fact, in love with Ms. Grant, he might take one for her . . . if she's involved. If he thinks Carver acted alone, he might also turn on Carver. Not because he wanted to, but to protect Ms. Grant.

Would you trust a bomb to a company called 'Oops'?

It's okay with us," Dannon said, and now there was something in his eye, a little spark of pleasure, a job well done. Lucas thought, This isn't good.

Good," Lucas said. "And hey—relax. Gonna be all right." "No, it won't," she said. "I can almost guarantee that whatever it is, it won't be all right.

When it comes to being around women, I wouldn't trust that guy further than I could spit a Norwegian rat," Lucas had grumbled.