Humble people can do great things with uncommon perfection because they are no longer concerned about their own interests and their own reputation, and therefore they no longer need to waste their efforts in defending them.
Interpretation
Humble individuals achieve remarkable results by focusing on their work rather than their self-image.
This quote by Thomas Merton highlights the strength of humility in achieving excellence. When people set aside their own interests and the desire for recognition, they can devote their energy to their tasks and craft, allowing them to perform at a level of uncommon perfection. By freeing themselves from the burden of self-concern, humble individuals can fully engage in their pursuits and contribute positively to the world around them.
In practice
This quote is perfect for encouraging a team at work to focus on the mission rather than personal accolades.
The devil is no fool. He can get people feeling about heaven the way they ought to feel about hell. He can make them fear the means of grace the way they do not fear sin. And he does so, not by light but by obscurity, not by realities but by shadows; not by clarity and substance, but by dreams and the creatures of psychosis. And men are so poor in intellect that a few cold chills down their spine will be enough to keep them from ever finding out the truth about anything.
Our vocation is not simply to be, but to work together with God in the creation of our own life, our own identity, our own destiny....To work out our identity in God.
Conscience is the light by which we interpret the will of God in our own lives.
You are made in the image of what you desire.
But if you want to identify me, ask me not where I live, or what I like to eat, or how I comb my hair, but ask me what I think I am living for.
I have the immense joy of being man, a member of a race in which God Himself became incarnate. As if the sorrows and stupidities of the human condition could overwhelm me, now that I realize what we all are. And if only everybody could realize this! But it cannot be explained. There is no way of telling people that they are all walking around shining like the sun.
Persuade thyself that imperfection and inconvenience are the natural lot of mortals, and there will be no room for discontent, neither for despair.
Character is higher than intellect. A great soul will be strong to live as well as think.
We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.
If we wish to follow Christ closely, we cannot choose an easy, quiet life. It will be a demanding life, but full of joy.
Proper effort is not the effort to make something particular happen. It is the effort to be aware and awake each moment, the effort to overcome laziness and merit, the effort to make each activity of our day meditation.
My most important rule is one that sums up the 10: If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.
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