We are slow to believe that which if believed would hurt our feelings.
OvidRead
Gifts, believe me, captivate both men and Gods, Jupiter himself was won over and appeased by gifts.
Interpretation
Gifts have the power to influence and persuade both people and divine beings.
This quote by Ovid emphasizes the profound impact that gifts and offerings can have on relationships and interactions. It suggests that both humans and deities, such as Jupiter, can be swayed or appeased through the act of giving, highlighting the importance of generosity and the social dynamics of gift-giving in fostering goodwill and connection.
In practice
During a wedding speech, I would use this quote to highlight the importance of thoughtful gifts in building relationships.
We are slow to believe that which if believed would hurt our feelings.
All things human hang by a slender thread; and that which seemed to stand strong suddenly falls and sinks in ruins.
A new idea is delicate. It can be killed by a sneer or a yawn; it can be stabbed to death by a quip and worried to death by a frown on the right man's brow.
Fas est ab hoste doceri._x000D_ One should learn even from one's enemies.
Be patient and tough; someday this pain will be useful to you.
The end doesn't justify the means.
Where can we go to find God if we cannot see Him in our own hearts and in every living being.
What if the counterculture was only a stumbling beginning, rather than the best that could be hoped for?
Wherever there is great property, there is great inequality.
All authority belongs to the people... In questions of power let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief with chains of the Constitution.
The paternalist is a sentimentalist at heart, and the sentimentalist is always potentially cruel.
The Good News means we can stop lying to ourselves. The sweet sound of amazing grace saves us from the necessity of self-deception. It keeps us from denying that though Christ was victorious, the battle with lust, greed, and pride still rages within us.
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