Those who tread among serpents, and along a tortuous path, must use the cunning of the serpent.
Interpretation
One must be shrewd and clever when navigating difficult or dangerous situations.
This quote by Thomas Becket emphasizes the necessity of being astute and strategic when confronted with challenging or perilous circumstances. Just as a serpent must be cunning to survive among its own kind, individuals must adapt their behavior and thinking to effectively deal with the complexities and dangers of life.
In practice
In a motivational speech about overcoming challenges.
It is important that the Church of London, which has now lost its ruler, should receive for its new bishop a man whose personal merit, attainments in learning, and prudence in managing public business shall not be unworthy of the dignity of that see.
I am ready to die for my Lord, that in my blood the Church may obtain liberty and peace.
The more I loved the king, the more I opposed his injustice until his brow fell lowering upon me. He heaped calumny after calumny on my head, and I chose to be driven out rather than to subscribe.
Could I anticipate the enmity of those for whom I encountered such opposition? If they had been willing, I should have gained the victory. But the head faints when it is abandoned by the other members. If they had been wise they would have seen that in attacking me they were attacking their own privileges and serving princes to their own servitude.
Whosoever wisely examines the works of God will speedily discover what is next to be done.
The rashness of the persecutor hath overspread the rights of the persecuted so that punishment is awarded to him that has gained the victory, the inglorious triumphs, and the man who deserved bonds has carried off the prize.
The spiritual life is about becoming more at home in your own skin.
One of the great things to pretend is that you're not only alright, you're in great shape. Now to have that come true - I've actually gone on stage depressed and that's worked its magic on me, 'cause if I can convince you that I'm alright, then maybe I can convince me.
Everything is based on mind, is led by mind, is fashioned by mind. If you speak and act with a polluted mind, suffering will follow you, as the wheels of the oxcart follow the footsteps of the ox. Everything is based on mind, is led by mind, is fashioned by mind. If you speak and act with a pure mind, happiness will follow you, as a shadow clings to a form.
For one man who can introduce another to Jesus Christ by the way he lives and by the atmosphere of his life, there are a thousand who can only talk jargon about him
Your talk," I said, "is surely the handiwork of wisdom because not one word of it do I understand.
Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don't really matter.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.