I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus ChristRead
For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
Interpretation
What this quote means
True love extends beyond mutual affection; it challenges us to love even those who do not love us back.
This quote by Jesus Christ emphasizes that loving only those who love us is a common act, easily performed by anyone, including those deemed untrustworthy or immoral, such as tax collectors in his time. The deeper challenge and greater reward lie in embracing the difficult practice of loving those who may not reciprocate that love, thus promoting a higher standard of compassion and morality.
Themes
LoveCompassionSelflessnessMoralityForgiveness
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on community service, one could quote this to inspire attendees to engage in altruistic behaviors.
More from Jesus Christ
All quotes βBut I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Jesus ChristRead
Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to cast a stone.
Jesus ChristRead
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
Jesus ChristRead
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
Jesus ChristRead
If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
Jesus ChristRead
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And suddenly all your troubles melt away, all your worries are gone, and it is for no reason other than the look in your partner's eyes. Yes, sometimes life and love really is that simple.
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The hardest spiritual work in the world is to love the neighbor as the self - to encounter another human being not as someone you can use, change, fix, help, save, enroll, convince or control, but simply as someone who can spring you from the prison of yourself, if you will allow it.
Barbara Brown TaylorRead