There is no feeling, except the extremes of fear and grief, that does not find relief in music.
T. S. EliotRead
The greatest proof of Christianity for others is not how far a man can logically analyze his reasons for believing, but how far in practice he will stake his life on his belief.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True belief is demonstrated through action rather than mere logical reasoning.
T. S. Eliot emphasizes that the authenticity of one's faith, particularly in Christianity, is not determined by the intellectual ability to rationalize their beliefs, but rather by the commitment and risk one is willing to take based on that faith. This highlights the importance of living out one's beliefs through concrete actions rather than just discussing or analyzing them theoretically.
Themes
FaithBeliefActionCommitmentChristianity
In practice
Example use cases
In a sermon about faith, one might use this quote to illustrate the importance of living one's beliefs.
More from T. S. Eliot
All quotes →Half of the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don't mean to do harm. But the harm does not interest them.
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I am an Anglo-Catholic in religion, a classicist in literature and a royalist in politics.
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If you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?
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For I have known them all already, known them all— Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons, I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.
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In the faint moonlight, the grass is singing
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History is a living whole. If one organ be removed, it is nothing but a lifeless mass.
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