A man really believes not what he recites in his creed, but only the things he is ready to die for.
Interpretation
True beliefs are not just spoken; they are those for which one is willing to sacrifice everything.
This quote emphasizes that genuine beliefs are not merely verbal affirmations or creeds; instead, they are demonstrated by the willingness to endure great hardship or even sacrifice one's life. It suggests that the core of a person's faith lies in their actions and the values they hold dear enough to stand up for, especially in the face of adversity.
In practice
In a motivational speech about following one's passion, this quote can reinforce the importance of commitment.
There was once a fiddler who played so beauitully that everybody danced. A deaf man who could not hear the music considered them all insane. Those who are with Jesus in suffering hear this music to which other men are deaf. They dance and do not care if they are considered insane.
Some tell me Preach the pure gospel! This reminds me that the Communist secret police also told me to preach Christ, but not to mention communism. Is it really so, that those who are for what is called a pure gospel are inspired by the same spirit as those of the Communist secret police?
Christians are meant to have the same vocation as their King, that of cross-bearers. It is this conscience of a high calling and of partnership with Jesus which brings gladness in tribulations, which makes Christians enter prisons for their faith with the joy of a bridegroom entering the bridal room.
It was strictly forbidden to preach to other prisoners. It was understood that whoever was caught doing this received a severe beating. A number of us decided to pay the price for the privilege of preaching, so we accepted their [the communists' ] terms. It was a deal; we preached and they beat us. We were happy preaching. They were happy beating us, so everyone was happy.
God will judge us not according to how much we endured, but how much we could love
A faith that can be destroyed by suffering is not faith.
I'm a study of a man in chaos in search of frenzy.
God is in all things, but so far as God is Divine and so far as He is rational, God is nowhere so properly as in the soul - in the innermost of the soul
We are constantly railing against the passions; we ascribe to them all of man's afflictions, and we forget that they are also the source of all his pleasures.
The augmentation of slaves weakens the states; and such a trade is diabolical in itself, and disgraceful to mankind.
Home is where you hang your head.
As human beings, we suffer from an innate tendency to jump to conclusions, to judge people too quickly, and to pronounce them failures or heroes without due consideration.
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