The quote from Barbara Kingsolver's "The Poisonwood Bible" suggests that divine punishment is not necessary because we inevitably inflict suffering on ourselves through our actions. Instead of external consequences imposed by God, we are given the opportunity to experience the repercussions of our choices over time, indicating that self-inflicted pain is an intrinsic part of life.

This perspective highlights the importance of personal responsibility and underscores the idea that the challenges we face and the mistakes we make serve as forms of self-punishment. Ultimately, it suggests that we are the architects of our own destinies, learning and growing from the hardships we create for ourselves.