Against the persecution of a tyrant the godly have no remedy but prayer.
John CalvinRead
To will is human, to will the bad is of fallen nature, but to will the good is of Grace.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on human nature and the moral struggle between good and evil.
John Calvin's quote suggests that while it is inherently human to desire or 'will' things, the inclination toward evil is part of our flawed nature, often referred to as 'fallen nature' in theological contexts. Conversely, the desire to choose good emanates from a grace beyond human capability, implying that virtuous intentions require divine support or intervention.
Themes
Human NatureGoodEvilGrace MoralityWill
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about ethical decision-making in a philosophy class.
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.
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Man is never sufficiently touched and affected by the awareness of his lowly state until he has compared himself with God's majesty.
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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.
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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.
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When God wants to judge a nation, He gives them wicked rulers.
John CalvinRead
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That makes me think, my friend, as I have often done before, how natural it is that those who have spent a long time in the study of philosophy appear ridiculous when they enter the courts of law as speakers. Those who have knocked about in courts and the like from their youth up seem to me, when compared with those who have been brought up in philosophy and similar pursuits, to be as slaves in breeding compared with freemen.
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But the conceited man did not hear him. Conceited people never hear anything but praise.
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