My argument against God was that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust. But how had I got this idea of just and unjust? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line. What was I comparing this universe with when I called it unjust?

Summary

In this quote, the speaker reflects upon their previous argument against the existence of God. They contemplate the notions of cruelty and injustice in the universe, questioning the basis upon which they determine what is just and unjust. The speaker suggests that the concept of injustice implies the existence of justice itself, emphasizing that one can only perceive something as crooked by comparing it to a straight line. Thus, the quote urges a deeper understanding of the framework against which we judge the fairness or unfairness of the world.

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