To acknowledge that Jeremiah’s words are true is not defeatist. It is realistic. It explains all those long centuries when “man has dominated man to his injury ” because humans have ruled independently of God. ​ — Ecclesiastes 8: 9.
Need sõnad selgitavad, miks pikkade sajandite vältel on „inimene valitse [nud] inimese üle, et temale kurja teha ”: sellepärast, et inimesed on valitsenud Jumalast sõltumatult.