We never become truly spiritual by sitting down and wishing to become so. You must undertake something so great that you cannot accomplish it unaided.
Phillips BrooksRead
The earth has grown old with its burden of care, But at Christmas it always is young.
Interpretation
This quote reflects the contrast between the weariness of the earth and the rejuvenating spirit of Christmas.
Phillips Brooks suggests that while the earth bears the weight of its troubles and the passage of time, the Christmas season brings a sense of renewal and youthfulness. It highlights the joy and hope that the holiday season instills in people, providing a reprieve from the burdens of everyday life.
In practice
Use this quote during a holiday gathering to evoke the spirit of Christmas.
We never become truly spiritual by sitting down and wishing to become so. You must undertake something so great that you cannot accomplish it unaided.
The truest help we can render an afflicted man is not to take his burden from him, but to call out his best energy, that he may be able to bear the burden.
To believe in the God over us and around us and not in the God within us - that would be a powerless and fruitless faith.
To say, 'well done' to any bit of good work is to take hold of the powers which have made the effort and strengthen them beyond our knowledge.
Think of life as a voyage. The truest liver of the truest life is like a voyager who, as he sails, is not indifferent to all the beauty of the sea around him.
It is almost as presumptuous to think you can do nothing as to think you can do everything.
Nature can't evolve a species that hasn't the will to survive. Individuals might be bred to sacrifice themselves, but the race as a whole can never cease to exist.
If we do not save the environment, then whatever we do in civil rights will be of no meaning, because then we will have the equality of extinction.
Green was the silence, wet was the light, the month of June trembled like a butterfly.
Earth's crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God: But only he who sees takes off his shoes.
Only God can shape a flower, but any foolish child can pull it to pieces.
The air up there in the clouds is very pure and fine, bracing and delicious. And why shouldn't it be?--it is the same the angels breathe.
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