Strictly speaking, one should not even rightly compare virginity to marriage because you cannot make a comparison between two things if one is good and the other evil.
St. JeromeRead
Either we must speak as we dress, or dress as we speak. Why do we profess one thing and display another? The tongue talks of chastity, but the whole body reveals impurity.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the inconsistency between our words and actions, highlighting the need for alignment between how we express ourselves and how we present ourselves.
St. Jerome's quote points out the disparity between verbal expression and physical appearance, suggesting that we either align our speech with our dress or vice versa. It critiques the hypocrisy of claiming one set of values while embodying another, particularly focusing on the concept of chastity versus impurity, urging individuals to reflect on the sincerity of their professed beliefs through their actions.
Themes
ConsistencyHypocrisyTruthActionsWords
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about honesty, this quote can highlight the importance of living authentically.
More from St. Jerome
All quotes →Thank God I am deemed worthy to be hated by the world.
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The Church was founded upon Peter: although elsewhere the same is attributed to all the Apostles, and they all receive the keys of the kingdom of heaven, the strength of the Church depends upon them all alike, yet one among the twelve is chosen so that when a head has been appointed, there may be no occasion for schism.
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Beauty when unadorned is adorned the most.
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To ignore Scripture is to ignore Christ.
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Those who persevere in sin are those who are held in abhorrence by God, but those who abandon the ways of sin are loved by the Lord.
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