Ponder the fact that God has made you a gardener, to root out vice and plant virtue.
St. Catherine Of SienaRead
When it seems that God shows us the faults of others, keep on the safer side-it may be that your judgment is false. On your lips let silence abide. And any vice that you may ascribe to others, ascribe at once to them and yourself, in true humility. If that vice really exists in a person, he will correct himself better, seeing himself so gently understood, and will say of his own accord the thing that you would have said to him.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and humility when judging others.
St. Catherine of Siena's quote encourages individuals to refrain from harsh judgments of others, suggesting that we should first examine ourselves and recognize our own faults. By promoting a gentle understanding of others' vices, we create an environment where they are more likely to acknowledge and correct their behavior themselves, which ultimately fosters compassion and personal growth.
Themes
HumilityUnderstandingSelf-ReflectionJudgmentCompassion
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about compassion during a community meeting.
More from St. Catherine Of Siena
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There is no perfect virtue-none that bears fruit- unless it is exercised by means of our neighbor.
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Eternal Trinity... mystery deep as the sea, You could give me no greater gift than the gift of Yourself. For You are a fire ever burning and never consumed, which itself consumes all the selfish love that fills my being.
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Everything comes from love, all is ordained for the salvation of man, God does nothing without this goal in mind.
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