The heaventree of stars hung with humid nightblue fruit.
James JoyceRead
Frequent and violent temptations were a proof that the citadel of the soul had not fallen and that the devil raged to make it fall.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Temptations indicate strength of character and the ongoing struggle against negativity.
James Joyce suggests that experiencing frequent and intense temptations is a sign that one's inner strength, or 'citadel of the soul', remains intact. Rather than a sign of weakness, these challenges reveal the persistent battle one faces against negative forces, emphasizing the importance of resilience and courage in maintaining one's moral integrity.
Themes
TemptationStrengthSoulResilienceCourage
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech highlighting the importance of persistence.
More from James Joyce
All quotes →I think a child should be allowed to take his father's or mother's name at will on coming of age. Paternity is a legal fiction.
James JoyceRead
If he had smiled why would he have smiled? To reflect that each one who enters imagines himself to be the first to enter whereas he is always the last term of a preceding series even if the first term of a succeeding one, each imagining himself to be first, last, only and alone whereas he is neither first nor last nor only nor alone in a series originating in and repeated to infinity.
James JoyceRead
Gentle lady, do not sing Sad songs about the end of love; Lay aside sadness and sing How love that passes is enough. Sing about the long deep sleep Of lovers that are dead, and how In the grave all love shall sleep: Love is aweary now.
James JoyceRead
I am tomorrow, or some future day, what I establish today. I am today what I established yesterday or some previous day.
James JoyceRead
The movements which work revolutions in the world are born out of the dreams and visions in a peasant's heart on the hillside.
James JoyceRead
Similar quotes
Civil disobedience has an honourable history, and when the urgency and moral clarity cross a certain threshold, then I think that civil disobedience is quite understandable, and it has a role to play.
Al GoreRead
If you hate the war, that’s fine. But you should still support the troops. They don’t get to pick where they’re deployed. They just gave the American people a blank check for anything up to and including the value of their lives, and the least everyone else can do is be thankful. Buy them dinner. Mow their yard. Bake them cookies.
Chris KyleRead
The soldier who gropes for glory must submit himself to discipline. Subordination gives strength and security to an army. He that will not submit to it when corrected and improved by the experience of ages does not deserve the proud appellation of a soldier.
Sam HoustonRead
I couldn't find anyone doing something about the astounding injustices women were experiencing, so I decided to do something myself. I cannot tell you how many people ridiculed my efforts.
Zainab SalbiRead
So often survivors have had their experiences denied, trivialized, or distorted. Writing is an important avenue for healing because it gives you the opportunity to define your own reality. You can say: This did happen to me. It was that bad. It was the fault & responsibility of the adult. I was—and am—innocent.” The Courage to Heal by Ellen Bass & Laura Davis
Ellen BassRead
Let me ask you, sir, when is the time for brave men to exert themselves in the cause of liberty and their country, if this is not?
George WashingtonRead