Time and trouble will tame an advanced young woman, but an advanced old woman is uncontrollable by any earthly force.
The Christian faith is the most exciting drama that ever staggered the imagination of man - and the dogma is the drama.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The Christian faith presents a compelling and imaginative narrative that captivates human thought, with its teachings forming the core of this narrative.
Dorothy L. Sayers suggests that the Christian faith is not just a set of beliefs or doctrines; instead, it is a grand and thrilling story that captures the human imagination. The 'drama' emphasizes the dramatic nature of the Christian narrative, and the 'dogma' refers to the essential truths that structure this narrative. In essence, she sees faith as a profoundly engaging and creative journey that influences how individuals understand life's biggest questions.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a sermon to highlight the importance of faith in Christianity.
More from Dorothy L. Sayers
All quotes βBut suppose one doesn't quite know which one wants to put first. Suppose," said Harriet, falling back on words which were not her own, "suppose one is cursed with both a heart and a brain?" "You can usually tell," said Miss de Vine, "by seeing what kind of mistakes you make. I'm quite sure that one never makes fundamental mistakes about the thing one really wants to do. Fundamental mistakes arise out of lack of genuine interest. In my opinion, that is.
. . . the fellow's got a bee in his bonnet. Thinks God's a secretion of the liver--all right once in a way, but there's no need to keep on about it. There's nothing you can't prove if your outlook is only sufficiently limited.
You're thinking that people don't keep up old jealousies for twenty years or so. Perhaps not. Not just primitive, brute jealousy. That means a word and a blow. But the thing that rankles is hurt vanity. That sticks. Humiliation. And we've all got a sore spot we don't like to have touched.
None of us feels the true love of God till we realize how wicked we are. But you can't teach people that - they have to learn by experience.
What is repugnant to every human being is to be reckoned always as a member of a class and not as an individual person.
Similar quotes
All diseases of Christians are to be ascribed to demons; chiefly do they torment freshly-baptized Christians, yea, even the guiltless new-born infants.
It's not a bad thing for a writer not to feel at home. Writers - we're much more comfortable at parties standing in the corner watching everybody else having a good time than we are mingling.
The belief in a supernatural source of evil is not necessary; men alone are quite capable of every wickedness.
The truth is all around you, plain to behold. The night is dark and full of terrors, the day bright and beautiful and full of hope. One is black, the other white. There is ice and there is fire. Hate and love. Bitter and sweet. Male and female. Pain and pleasure. Winter and summer. Evil and good. Death and life. Everywhere, opposites.
The Pacific no longer represents menacing avenues of approach for a prospective invader. It assumes, instead, the friendly aspect of a peaceful lake. Our line of defense is a natural one and can be maintained with a minimum of military effort and expense.
In the depths of every heart there is a tomb and a dungeon, though the lights, the music, and the revelry above may cause us to forget their existence.