I tell you in truth: all men are Prophets or else God does not

"I tell you in truth: all men are Prophets or else God does not exist." These profound words by Jean-Paul Sartre speak to the heart of existentialism and the relationship between human freedom, responsibility, and the concept of God. Sartre, a towering figure of 20th-century philosophy, was deeply concerned with the nature of human existence and the responsibilities that come with it. In this statement, he presents a powerful challenge to us: that human beings, by virtue of their freedom, must take on the role of prophets—those who must define their own existence and create meaning in a world that offers no inherent purpose. If we do not embrace this responsibility, Sartre argues, then God—in the traditional sense of an external creator or authority—cannot exist.

Sartre's assertion that all men are Prophets is not a theological one in the traditional sense. Rather, he speaks of prophecy as the freedom and burden each of us carries in shaping our lives, in creating meaning out of the void. Just as the prophets of old were tasked with proclaiming a truth, a message that shaped the course of human history, so too must we take responsibility for defining the meaning of our lives. To live authentically is to acknowledge that we, not an external deity, are the ones who create the truth of our existence. To embrace this idea is to face the vast freedom that comes with the absence of a preordained purpose and to understand the immense responsibility it entails.

In the ancient world, philosophers like Socrates believed that it was the duty of each person to understand and live the truth. For Socrates, truth was not something to be dictated from above but something to be discovered within each individual through self-examination and critical thinking. Similarly, Sartre suggests that truth and meaning must come from within, not from an external source. If God were to exist in the way that traditional religions suggest, Sartre implies, then humanity would be nothing more than puppets dancing to a divine script, without freedom or authenticity. Sartre’s existentialism calls for a radical break from this idea—humans must be their own creators, responsible for their own choices, and must shape their lives as prophets shaping their destinies.

The prophet in this sense is not one who speaks of divine revelation, but one who faces the profound freedom and void of existence and chooses, despite the weight of uncertainty, to act and to live with purpose. The prophet is anyone who refuses to be shackled by the expectations of society, tradition, or religion and instead forges a path through the wilderness of human experience. It is a heroic task that requires immense courage to face a world that offers no inherent meaning. It is not an easy calling, and yet, it is one that is available to each of us, for we all hold the power to define who we are and how we live.

Consider the story of Nelson Mandela, whose life exemplified Sartre's notion of taking responsibility for one's own meaning. Mandela spent years in prison, forced to confront the brutality of an apartheid system that sought to strip away his dignity and humanity. In a world that seemed to offer only oppression and injustice, Mandela chose to take responsibility for his own freedom—not merely physical freedom, but the deeper freedom of the mind and spirit. He became a prophet of justice and equality, and his life became a beacon of hope for millions. Mandela's truth was not dictated by a divine authority, but by his own commitment to freedom and equality. He demonstrated the power of human beings to shape their world through sheer will and vision.

Sartre’s quote, though deeply existential, holds a profound lesson for us all. Truth is not something handed down from the heavens; it is something we must create within ourselves. It is not enough to simply exist; we must actively engage with the freedom we possess and take responsibility for the meaning we bring into the world. Each of us is a prophet, capable of shaping the story of our lives and contributing to the larger narrative of human history. Just as Socrates sought wisdom and Sartre advocated for authenticity, we too must strive to live lives that are true to our deepest selves, embracing the freedom to create, to question, and to transform.

In our own lives, we must ask: do we live as prophets? Do we take responsibility for the truth we create, or do we let others shape our lives with their expectations and narratives? The world is full of distractions, pressures, and external influences that attempt to define our purpose. But true freedom lies in the courage to look inward, to acknowledge the weight of responsibility, and to act in ways that reflect our own values and truths. We must not wait for the world to offer us meaning; we must create it ourselves, through choice, action, and purpose.

Let us live as prophets, taking the mantle of truth into our own hands. Let us refuse to accept a life dictated by the limitations of external forces, and instead, let us boldly create our own path, guided by the light of our own understanding. In doing so, we not only fulfill our own potential but also contribute to the greater human story, reminding the world that the truth of existence lies not in submission to a higher power, but in the freedom and responsibility of each individual to shape their destiny.