Our misery is that we thirst so little for these sublime things, and so much for the mocking trifles of time and space.
Interpretation
We often desire trivial things instead of pursuing deeper, more meaningful experiences.
This quote highlights the paradox of human nature where individuals frequently seek temporary pleasures and superficial pursuits, neglecting the profound and sublime aspects of life that can provide true fulfillment and joy. It calls for a reevaluation of our priorities, encouraging us to yearn for deeper values rather than being distracted by insignificant, worldly matters.
In practice
In a motivational speech about personal growth and focusing on what truly matters.
Amusement should be used to do us good “like a medicine”: it must never be used as the food of the man...Many have had all holy thoughts and gracious resolutions stamped out by perpetual trifling. Pleasure so called is the murderer of thought. This is the age of excessive amusement: everybody craves for it, like a babe for its rattle.
When you see no present advantage, walk by faith and not by sight. Do God the honor to trust Him when it comes to matters of loss for the sake of principle.
It is far easier to fight with sin in public than to pray against it in private.
You will never glory in God till first of all God has killed your glorying in yourself.
After faith comes repentance, or, rather, repentance is faith's twin brother and is born at the same time.
["All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant."] The original Hebrew word that has been translated "paths" means "well-worn roads' or "wheel tracks," such ruts as wagons make when they go down our green roads in wet weather and sink in up to the axles. God's ways are at times like heavy wagon tracks that cut deep into our souls, yet all of them are merciful.
If water derives lucidity from stillness, how much more the faculties of the mind! The mind of the sage, being in repose, becomes the mirror of the universe, the speculum of all creation.
I don't know exactly where ideas come from, it's just a matter of us figuring out how to receive the ideas waiting to be heard.
Great talents are the most lovely and often the most dangerous fruits on the tree of humanity. They hang upon the most slender twigs that are easily snapped off.
What we have learned from other becomes our own reflection.
It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.
When the mind withdraws into itself and dispenses with facts it makes only chaos.
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