Diabolical error decks itself out with ease in lying colors with some appearance of truth, so that the force of pronouncement is corrupted by a very brief addition or change, and the confession of faith which should have resulted in salvation, by a subtle transition leads to death!
Interpretation
The quote warns that deceit can disguise itself as truth, leading to destructive outcomes.
Pope Clement XIII's quote emphasizes the dangers of misrepresentation and deceit, particularly in matters of faith and belief. It suggests that even minor alterations to truth can lead individuals away from salvation, illustrating how easily one can be misled by seemingly credible falsehoods that superficially appear truthful. This serves as a cautionary reminder to remain vigilant and discerning in our pursuits of truth and understanding.
In practice
This quote could be used in a sermon discussing the importance of genuine faith and the dangers of false teachings.
There's a tiredness of abstract inteligence, and it's the most horrible of tirednesses. It doesn't weight on you like the tiredness of the body, nor does it worry you like the tiredness of knowledge and emotion. It's a weightiness of the conscience of the world, an inability of the soul to breathe.
No man understands the Scriptures, unless he be acquainted with the Cross.
Let no man write my epitaph... When my country takes her place among the nations of the earth, then shall my character be vindicated, then may my epitaph be written.
Until you can see everything in the world as your friend, your work is not done.
Like a child who suddenly stops sobbing when he is clasped in the arms of his mother, such will be the grip of heaven upon our souls.
The true, unacknowledged purpose of capital punishment is to inspire fear and awe -- fear and awe of the State.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.