Let anyone laugh and taunt if he so wishes. I am not keeping silent, nor am I hiding the signs and wonders that were shown to me by the Lord many years before they happened, who knew everything, even before the beginning of time.
Saint PatrickRead
I see that already in this present world I am exalted above measure by the Lord. And I was not worthy nor such a one as that he should grant this to me, since I know most surely that poverty and affliction become me better than delights and riches.
Interpretation
The speaker reflects on their unworthiness for their current blessings and acknowledges their struggles as more fitting.
This quote by Saint Patrick expresses a deep humility and recognition of divine favor, suggesting that the speaker feels undeserving of the blessings they have received. They reflect on the idea that poverty and affliction are more natural to them than wealth and pleasure, highlighting a philosophy of humility and a spiritual understanding of one's place in the world.
In practice
This quote is perfect for a speech about humility during a leadership seminar.
Let anyone laugh and taunt if he so wishes. I am not keeping silent, nor am I hiding the signs and wonders that were shown to me by the Lord many years before they happened, who knew everything, even before the beginning of time.
The Lord is greater than all: I have said enough.
He that offereth sacrifice of the goods of the poor is as one that sacrificeth the son in the presence of his father.
I partly know why I have not led a perfect life like other believers. But I avow to my Lord, and I do not lie, that from the time when I first knew him, the love of God and the fear of him has grown in me from my youth so that I have, by the power of God, always till now kept the faith.
I only seek in my old age to perfect that which I had not before thoroughly learned in my youth, because my sins were a hindrance to me.
The Lord discovered to me a sense of my unbelief that, though late, I should remember my transgressions and that I should be converted with my whole heart to the Lord my God.
True devotion is for itself: not to desire heaven nor to fear hell.
The virtues of men are of more consequence to society than their abilities, and for this reason, the heart should be cultivated with more assiduity than the head.
In the United States there is more space where nobody is than where anybody is. This is what makes American what it is.
Such as are your habitual thoughts, such also will be the character of your mind; for the soul is dyed by the thoughts.
Feeding the hungry is a greater work than raising the dead
Maybe right and wrong did not move, but understanding of them did. The wrenching pain of walking the same path, even for a short space, tore away the willingness to judge.
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