Action and contemplation are very close companions; they live together in one house on equal terms. Martha and Mary are sisters.
Bernard Of ClairvauxRead
Neither fear nor self-interest can convert the soul. They may change the appearance, perhaps even the conduct, but never the object of supreme desire... Fear is the motive which constrains the slave; greed binds the selfish man, by which he is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed (James 1:14). But neither fear nor self-interest is undefiled, nor can they convert the soul. Only charity can convert the soul, freeing it from unworthy motives.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True transformation of the soul cannot be achieved through fear or selfish desires; only love and charity can lead to genuine change.
This quote emphasizes that superficial changes in behavior, spurred by fear or self-interest, do not equate to true inner transformation. The essence of the soul remains unchanged through such motives, which ultimately stem from base instincts. Instead, genuine conversion and uplifting of the soul can only be attained through acts of charity and love, which liberate one from unworthy desires and lead to a higher purpose.
Themes
FearCharitySelf-InterestMotivesSoulTransformation
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about personal growth, one might quote this to emphasize the importance of love over fear.
More from Bernard Of Clairvaux
All quotes →You wish to see; listen. Hearing is a step toward Vision.
Bernard Of ClairvauxRead
Pride only, the chief of all iniquities, can make us treat gifts as if they were rightful attributes of our nature, and, while receiving benefits, rob our Benefactor of His due glory.
Bernard Of ClairvauxRead
The piercing nail has become a key to unlock the door, that I may see the good will of the Lord. And what can I see as I look through the hole? Both the nail and the wound cry out that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself... Through these sacred wounds we can see the secret of his heart, the great mystery of love.
Bernard Of ClairvauxRead
What I know of the divine_x000D_ science and holy scripture,_x000D_ I learnt in the woods and fields.
Bernard Of ClairvauxRead
Learn the lesson that, if you are to do the work of a prophet, what you need is not a sceptre but a hoe.
Bernard Of ClairvauxRead
Similar quotes
They are more human and more brotherly towards one another, it seems to me, than we are. But perhaps that is merely because they feel themselves to be more unfortunate than us.
Erich Maria RemarqueRead
Let the Palestinians run their affairs: create a situation in which no Israeli soldier will have to maintain public order, whether in Gaza or the West Bank. Let's give it to the Palestinians, as long as there is security for us. No more occupying another people.
Yitzhak RabinRead
Civilization has been a continuous struggle of the individual or of groups of individuals against the State and even against "society," that is, against the majority subdued and hypnotized by the State and State worship.
Emma GoldmanRead
Life is nothing but a competition to be the criminal rather than the victim.
Bertrand RussellRead
The study of law is sublime, and its practice vulgar.
Oscar WildeRead
A nation can survive its fools, even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within....for the traitor appears not to be a traitor...he rots the soul of a nation...he infects the body politic so that it can no longer resist.
Marcus Tullius CiceroRead