Quote by Georges Bernanos

And what have you laymen made of hell? A kind of penal servitude for eternity, on the lines of your convict prisons on earth, to which you condemn in advance all the wretched felons your police have hunted from the beginning -- enemies of society, as you call them. You're kind enough to include the blasphemers and the profane. What proud or reasonable man could stomach such a notion of God's justice? And when you find that notion inconvenient it's easy enough for you to put it on one side. Hell is not to love any more, Madame. Not to love any more!

And what have you laymen made of hell? A kind of penal servi

Summary

This quote questions the conventional understanding of hell held by "laymen." It criticizes the notion that hell is merely a place of eternal punishment resembling earthly prisons. The quote highlights the unjust condemnation of individuals by society, labeling them as enemies and criminals. It questions the fairness of a punishment where even blasphemers and the profane are included. Ultimately, the quote argues that hell is not fire and brimstone, but rather the absence of love - a concept that challenges the traditional understanding of divine justice.

Topics

Hell

By Georges Bernanos

Liked the quote? Share it with your friends.

Random Quotations

What you hope for, like Unforgiven did a lot to give you a c

What you hope for, like Unforgiven did a lot to give you a chance to do it again sometime.

Lawrence Kasdan

Hope

The best way to travel abroad is to live with the locals.

The best way to travel abroad is to live with the locals.

Travel

Damn right, it's fun. There's good company. It's creative. I

Damn right, it's fun. There's good company. It's creative. It's adventurous. Combines high adventure and art with intellection. It's more fun than polo. It's like going undefeated in football. When asked if making movies is fun

Tommy Lee Jones

Film / Filmmaking / Movies

The phrase 'off with the crack of the bat', while romantic,

The phrase 'off with the crack of the bat', while romantic, is really meaningless, since the outfielder should be in motion long before he hears the sound of the ball meeting the bat.

Romantic

Often, I look out the window and wait. I see her as she come

Often, I look out the window and wait. I see her as she comes and goes, to visit with everyone-it seems but me. I know that sometimes I'm not as friendly as I should be. But I'm scared- that people won't like me. So I hide in my shell. And talk to know one. But still... I wish they would notice that I am here. I need them. Please, somebody talk to me. I need a friend.

Friends

The question for each man to settle is not what he would do

The question for each man to settle is not what he would do if he had means, time, influence, and educational advantages, but what he will do with the things he has.

Hamilton Wright Mabie

Truth Wealth Positivethinking

Sitting at the table during Color Purple and looking up and

Sitting at the table during Color Purple and looking up and suddenly realizing I was acting in front of Steven Spielberg, was pretty cool. It was pretty good.

Whoopi Goldberg

Cool

Real seriousness in regard to writing is one of two absolute

Real seriousness in regard to writing is one of two absolute necessities. The other, unfortunately, is talent.

Ernest Hemingway

All things are perceived in the light of charity, and hence

All things are perceived in the light of charity, and hence under the aspect of beauty for beauty is simply reality seen with the eyes of love.

Evelyn Underhill

Verily, great grace may go with a little gift; and precious

Verily, great grace may go with a little gift; and precious are all things that come from a friend.

Friends

All who consult on doubtful matters, should be void of hatre

All who consult on doubtful matters, should be void of hatred, friendship, anger, and pity.

Anger

In the clashes between ignorance and intelligence, ignorance

In the clashes between ignorance and intelligence, ignorance is generally the aggressor.

Intelligence