You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth of falsehood becomes a matter of life and death to you. It is easy to say you believe a rope to be strong and sound as long as you are merely using it to cord a box. But suppose you had to hang by that rope over a precipice. Wouldn't you then first discover how much you really trusted it?
The quote underscores the idea that true belief is tested under extreme circumstances. It illustrates that an individual's confidence in their convictions often remains abstract until they confront a situation where those beliefs directly impact their survival. Just as one might easily trust a rope’s strength for everyday tasks, true faith is revealed only when facing dire challenges.
