Author: Arthur Hugh Clough

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    There is no God, the wicked saith,
    And truly its a blessing,
    For what He might have done with us
    Its better only guessing.

    There is no God, a youngster thinks,
    or really, if there may be,
    He surely did not mean a man
    Always to be a baby.

    There is no God, or if there is,
    The tradesman thinks, twere funny
    If He should take it ill in me
    To make a little money.

    Whether there be, the rich man says,
    It matters very little,
    For I and mine, thank somebody,
    Are not in want of victual.

    Some others, also, to themselves,
    Who scarce so much as doubt it,
    Think there is none, when they are well,
    And do not think about it.

    But country folks who live beneath
    The shadow of the steeple;
    The parson and the parsons wife,
    And mostly married people;

    Youths green and happy in first love,
    So thankful for illusion;
    And men caught out in what the world
    Calls guilt, in first confusion;

    And almost everyone when age,
    Disease, or sorrows strike him,
    Inclines to think there is a God,
    Or something very like Him.

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Type of Poem: Lyric Poem

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem by Arthur Hugh Clough, often titled "There is No God, the Wicked Saith," is a satirical meditation on the varying attitudes people have toward the existence of God, based on their circumstances in life. Clough explores human nature and belief, using irony and humor to expose the tendency of people to deny or ignore God's existence when it suits their interests or convenience, only to reconsider their stance in times of hardship.

Structure and Form
The poem is written in quatrains with a consistent ABCB rhyme scheme, which gives the poem a conversational and rhythmic flow. The language is accessible, and the tone is informal, which reflects Clough’s use of humor and irony to explore serious themes. The consistent rhythm mirrors the ease with which people shift their beliefs, emphasizing the flexibility of their convictions.

Themes
Skepticism and Atheism: The poem begins with the bold declaration, "There is no God, the wicked saith," which sets the tone for the satirical critique of how different people rationalize their disbelief or indifference toward God. Clough explores the superficial and self-serving reasons people have for dismissing the existence of a higher power. For the wicked, it's a "blessing" to believe there's no God because it removes accountability. This theme reflects the growing skepticism of religious faith during Clough’s time, particularly in an era where science and reason were challenging traditional beliefs.

Moral Relativism: The poem satirizes how people justify their actions based on convenience. For instance, the tradesman downplays the idea of God by suggesting that it would be "funny" if God disapproved of his pursuit of profit. Similarly, the rich man is indifferent, as his wealth insulates him from the fear of scarcity or divine judgment. This reflects how different social classes and occupations can rationalize their moral choices by downplaying or ignoring the concept of divine judgment.

Belief in Times of Crisis: A key observation in the poem is that belief in God often intensifies during times of personal crisis. In the last two stanzas, Clough points out that those who face "age, disease, or sorrows" are inclined to reconsider their skepticism and start to believe "there is a God, / Or something very like Him." This theme highlights how human beings often turn to spirituality when confronted with their own mortality or when they experience suffering, revealing the fragility of atheistic convictions in times of hardship.

The Influence of Context and Circumstances on Belief: Throughout the poem, Clough juxtaposes different types of people—youngsters, tradesmen, the rich, and country folks—to show how context shapes their beliefs. Youthful confidence leads to dismissive thoughts like "surely did not mean a man / Always to be a baby," implying that God, if He exists, is irrelevant to their burgeoning independence. Meanwhile, the country folks, living in close proximity to the church ("beneath the shadow of the steeple"), maintain traditional faith, as do those in love or caught in guilt. This reflects the influence of environment and life stage on spiritual belief.

Tone
The poem’s tone is satirical and ironic, as Clough mocks the inconsistent and often self-serving beliefs of the different characters. Despite dealing with the serious subject of faith and doubt, the poem has a light, almost playful quality. Clough presents the characters’ thoughts with dry humor, subtly critiquing their hypocrisy and moral relativism. The tradesman’s nonchalance about God’s disapproval of making money and the rich man’s indifference to belief because of his wealth are perfect examples of this ironic tone.

Imagery and Symbols
God as a Convenient Belief: In many of the stanzas, Clough presents God not as a powerful, omniscient being, but as a flexible concept that people mold to suit their needs. For example, to the wicked, God's non-existence is "a blessing"; to the rich man, the existence of God "matters very little." This shifting conception of God reflects human nature's ability to adapt belief according to circumstances.

The Church Steeple: The line "country folks who live beneath / The shadow of the steeple" uses the steeple as a symbol of traditional religious belief. For those living in rural areas or married couples, faith remains more constant and less subject to doubt. The imagery suggests that proximity to the church, both literally and metaphorically, reinforces belief.

Youth and Guilt: Clough notes that youth in its first flush of love is "thankful for illusion," indicating that belief in God might be easier or more necessary when life’s experiences are new and intense. Similarly, "men caught out in what the world / Calls guilt" turn to belief as a form of solace or explanation. The pairing of youth’s idealism and guilt’s confusion highlights how belief can serve as both comfort and moral guide in emotionally charged times.