Definitions HQ

A Miracle (n.) is, ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠in a particular fact, an immediate act of the divine power, a real and visible exception to her laws.

A Miracle (n.) believed ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠in every reported case would outnumber ordinary events, and it would be the greatest miracle if none occurred wherever there were persecuted fanatics.

A Miracle (n.) cannot ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠prove doctrine, since the devil can imitate them — so we must prove our miracles by our doctrine, and might as well have left them out.

A Miracle (n.) by ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠an impostor is wrought in holes and corners, behind closed doors, before dupes already disposed to believe — what use are miracles that themselves require so much proof?

A Miracle (n.) that ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠proves a legislator's mission is only his great soul; any man can carve tablets, buy an oracle, or train a bird to whisper in his ear.

A Miracle (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠often two true facts and one false link: he saw the bishop pray and saw the wind change, but could never know that one caused the other.

A Miracle (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠an exception to the laws of nature, thus he who announces that such-and-such an act is miraculous declares that he knows all the laws of nature, and that he knows that this act is an exception to them. But where is this mortal who knows all the laws of nature.