Through every rift of discovery some seeming anomaly drops out of the darkness, and falls, as a golden link into the great chain of order.
Edwin Hubbel ChapinRead
It is a most fearful fact to think of, that in every heart there is some secret spring that would be weak at the touch of temptation, and that is liable to be assailed. Fearful, and yet salutary to think of; for the thought may serve to keep our moral nature braced. It warns us that we can never stand at ease, or lie down in this field of life, without sentinels of watchfulness and campfires of prayer.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the internal vulnerability of human beings to temptation, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and moral consciousness.
Chapin's quote highlights the dual nature of human susceptibility to temptation, reminding us that within each person lies a vulnerable aspect that can be influenced by desire or challenge. This acknowledgment of our weaknesses is both frightening and beneficial; it serves as a warning that we must remain vigilant and proactive in protecting our moral integrity. The mention of 'sentinels of watchfulness and campfires of prayer' illustrates the need for constant mental and spiritual readiness in facing life's challenges.
Themes
TemptationVigilanceMoralitySelf-AwarenessPrayer
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about self-discipline, one might say, 'As Edwin Hubbel Chapin eloquently puts it, we must always remain vigilant against our temptations.'
More from Edwin Hubbel Chapin
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Goodness consists not in the outward things we do, but in the inward thing we are.
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Tomorrow may never come to us. We do not live in tomorrow. We cannot find it in any of our title-deeds. The man who owns whole blocks of real estate, and great ships on the sea, does not own a single minute of tomorrow. Tomorrow! It is a mysterious possibility, not yet born. It lies under the seal of midnight-behind the veil of glittering constellations.
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A true man never frets about his place in the world, but just slides into it by the gravitation of his nature, and swings there as easily as a star.
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