See, I have set before you this day life and good, death and evil... I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life.
MosesRead
O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.
Interpretation
Moses expresses his lack of eloquence and confidence in his ability to speak well.
In this quote, Moses humbly acknowledges his shortcomings in communication, particularly when faced with the daunting task of conveying God's messages. His admission of being 'slow of speech and tongue' reflects a universal feeling of inadequacy that many experience when called to lead or speak on significant matters, emphasizing the notion that even the most chosen figures can feel unprepared and unsure of their abilities.
In practice
During a motivational speech to students about overcoming self-doubt.
See, I have set before you this day life and good, death and evil... I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life.
...the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another.
No lusting after your neighbor's house - or wife or servant or maid or ox or donkey. Don't set your heart on anything that is your neighbor's.
I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.
Fear not! Stand your ground... the Lord himself will fight for you; you have only to keep still.
There's a way that the force of disappointment can be alchemized into something that will paradoxically renew you.
I don't think anybody can be told how to act. I think you can give advice. But you have to find your own way through it.
My father used to say that if a man fools you once, he's a jerk. If he fools you twice, you're a jerk. Only he didn't use the word "jerk."
If you are far from the enemy, make him believe you are near.
We should be careful to get out of an experience only the wisdom that is in it and stop there lest we be like the cat that sits down on a hot stove lid. She will never sit down on a hot stove lid again and that is well but also she will never sit down on a cold one anymore.
Wisdom we know is the knowledge of good and evil - not the strength to choose between the two.
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