The work an unknown good man has done is like a vein of water flowing hidden underground, secretly making the ground green.
Thomas CarlyleRead
The Bible is the truest utterance that ever came by alphabetic letters from the soul of man, through which, as through a window divinely opened, all men can look into the stillness of eternity, and discern in glimpses their far-distant, long-forgotten home.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The Bible represents profound truths from humanity, allowing people to glimpse eternity and their spiritual origins.
In this quote, Thomas Carlyle emphasizes the Bible's unique ability to convey deep insights about the human soul and its connection to the divine. He suggests that the scriptures serve as a window to eternity, offering readers a chance to reflect on their spiritual journey and remember their ultimate home beyond earthly existence. This perspective elevates the Bible beyond mere text to a transformative medium that connects individuals with profound truths.
Themes
BibleTruthEternitySoulSpiritualityHumanity
In practice
Example use cases
During a spiritual retreat, I shared the quote to encourage participants to reflect on their connection to eternity.
More from Thomas Carlyle
All quotes →Thirty millions, mostly fools.
Thomas CarlyleRead
There is a great discovery still to be made in literature, that of paying literary men by the quantity they do not write.
Thomas CarlyleRead
For the superior morality, of which we hear so much, we too would desire to be thankful: at the same time, it were but blindness to deny that this superior morality is properly rather an inferior criminality, produced not by greater love of Virtue, but by greater perfection of Police; and of that far subtler and stronger Police, called Public Opinion.
Thomas CarlyleRead
Enjoying things which are pleasant; that is not the evil; it is the reducing of our moral self to slavery by them that is.
Thomas CarlyleRead
Clean undeniable right, clear undeniable might: either of these once ascertained puts an end to battle. All battle is a confused experiment to ascertain one and both of these.
Thomas CarlyleRead
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