Quotes by Dan Brown

“That is the definition of faith -- acceptance of that which we imagine to be true, that which we cannot prove.”

“Faith is a continuum, and we each fall on that line where we may. By attempting to rigidly classify ethereal concepts like faith, we end up debating semantics to the point where we entirely miss the obvious-that is, that we are all trying to decipher lifes big mysteries, and were each following our own paths of enlightenment.”

“Symbologists often remarked that France-a country renowned for machismo, womanizing, and diminutive insecure leaders like Napoleon and Pepin the Short-could not have chosen a more apt national emblem than a thousand-foot phallus.”

“My interest in secret societies is the product of many experiences, some I can discuss, others I cannot.”

“I consider myself a student of many religions. The more I learn, the more questions I have. For me, the spiritual quest will be a life-long work in progress.”

“My - well, Im very fortunate. I married an art historian who, you know, with whom I travel, and we have a great time.”

“This life is what I always wanted. I had a vision of our happiness.”

“I spend my life essentially alone at a computer. That doesnt change. I have the same challenges every day.”

“Writing an informative yet compact thriller is a lot like making maple sugar candy. You have to tap hundreds of trees - boil vats and vats of raw sap - evaporate the water - and keep boiling until youve distilled a tiny nugget that encapsulates the essence.”

“Metaphors are a way to help our minds process the unprocessible. The problem arise when we begin to believe literally in our own metaphors. Those who truly understand their faiths understand the stories are metaphorical.”

Learning the truth has become my lifes love.

The only difference between you and God is that you have forgotten you are divine.

These books cant possibly compete with centuries of established history, especially when that history is endorsed by the ultimate bestseller of all time. Faukmans eyes went wide. Dont tell me Harry Potter is actually about the Holy Grail.I was referring to the Bible.Faukman cringed. I knew that.

We are creators, and yet we naively play the role of the created. We see ourselves as helpless sheep buffeted around by the God who made us. We kneel like frightened children, begging for help, for forgiveness, for good luck. But once we realize that we are truly created in the Creators image, we will start to understand that we, too, must be Creators. When we understand this fact, the doors will burst wide open for human potential.

Truth has power. And if we all gravitate toward similar ideas, maybe we do so because those ideas are true...written deep within us. And when we hear the truth, even if we dont understand it, we feel that truth resonate within us...vibrating with our unconscious wisdom. Perhaps the truth is not learned by us, but rather, the truth is re-called...re-membered...-re-cognized...as that which is already inside us.

…In the end we are all just searching for truth, that which is greater than ourselves.

God answers all prayers, but sometimes his answer is no.

Whether or not you believe in God, you must believe this: when we as a species abandon our trust in a power greater than us, we abandon our sense of accountability. Faiths… all faiths… are admonitions that there is something we cannot understand, something to which we are accountable. With faith we are accountable to each other, to ourselves, and to a higher truth. Religion is flawed, but only because man is flawed. The church consists of a brotherhood of imperfect, simple souls wanting only to be a voice of compassion in a world spinning out of control.

Every faith in the world is based on fabrication. That is the definition of faith―acceptance of that which we imagine to be true, that which we cannot prove. Every religion describes God through metaphor, allegory, and exaggeration, from the early Egyptians through modern Sunday school. Metaphors are a way to help our minds process the unprocessible. The problems arise when we begin to believe literally in our own metaphors.Should we wave a flag and tell the Buddhists that we have proof the Buddha did not come from a lotus blossom? Or that Jesus was not born of a literal virgin birth? Those who truly understand their faiths understand the stories are metaphorical.

Omnipotent-benevolent simply means that God is all-powerful and well-meaning.I understand the concept. Its just . . . there seems to be a contradiction.Yes. The contradiction is pain. Mans starvation, war, sickness . . .Exactly! Chartrand knew the camerlengo would understand. Terrible things happen in this world. Human tragedy seems like proof that God could not possibly be both all-powerful and well-meaning. If He loves us and has the power to change our situation, He would prevent our pain, wouldnt He?The camerlengo frowned. Would He?Chartrand felt uneasy. Had he overstepped his bounds? Was this one of those religious questions you just didnt ask? Well . . . if God loves us, and He can protect us, He would have to. It seems He is either omnipotent and uncaring, or benevolent and powerless to help.Do you have children, Lieutenant?Chartrand flushed. No, signore.Imagine you had an eight-year-old son . . . would you love him?Of course.Would you let him skateboard?Chartrand did a double take. The camerlengo always seemed oddly in touch for a clergyman. Yeah, I guess, Chartrand said. Sure, Id let him skateboard, but Id tell him to be careful.So as this childs father, you would give him some basic, good advice and then let him go off and make his own mistakes?I wouldnt run behind him and mollycoddle him if thats what you mean.But what if he fell and skinned his knee?He would learn to be more careful.The camerlengo smiled. So although you have the power to interfere and prevent your childs pain, you would choose to show your love by letting him learn his own lessons?Of course. Pain is part of growing up. Its how we learn.The camerlengo nodded. Exactly.