Against the persecution of a tyrant the godly have no remedy but prayer.
John CalvinRead
I have not so great a struggle with my vices, great and numerous as they are, as I have with my impatience. My efforts are not absolutely useless; yet I have never been able to conquer this ferocious wild beast.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote speaks to the challenge of overcoming one's own flaws, particularly impatience, which can feel like an insurmountable beast.
In this quote, John Calvin reflects on the personal struggles he faces with his flaws, noticing that while he grapples with several vices, it is his impatience that presents the greatest challenge. He acknowledges that despite his efforts to tame this 'ferocious wild beast', he has yet to achieve mastery over it, highlighting the complexity of self-improvement and the human experience of battling one's inner demons.
Themes
ImpatienceStruggleSelf-ImprovementVicesPersonal Growth
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about personal growth, one might refer to Calvin's struggle with impatience to illustrate the importance of perseverance.
More from John Calvin
All quotes βThe pastor ought to have two voices: one, for gathering the sheep; and another, for warding off and driving away wolves and thieves. The Scripture supplies him with the means of doing both.
John CalvinRead
Man is never sufficiently touched and affected by the awareness of his lowly state until he has compared himself with God's majesty.
John CalvinRead
Whomever the Lord has adopted and deemed worthy of His fellowship ought to prepare themselves for a hard, toilsome, and unquiet life, crammed with very many and various kinds of evil.
John CalvinRead
For as the aged, or those whose sight is defective, when any book, however fair, is set before them, though they perceive that there is something written, are scarcely able to make out two consecutive words, but, when aided by glasses, begin to read distinctly, so Scripture, gathering together the impressions of Deity, which, till then, lay confused in our minds, dissipates the darkness, and shows us the true God clearly.
John CalvinRead
When God wants to judge a nation, He gives them wicked rulers.
John CalvinRead
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