QuoteProject
Oh thrice fools are we who like new-born princes weeping in the cradle know not that there is a kingdom before them then let our Lord's sweet hand square us and hammer us and strike off the knots of pride self-love and world-worship and infidelity that He may make us stones and pillars in His Father's house.
Samuel Rutherford
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote reflects on the folly of self-deception and the need for spiritual transformation to achieve true greatness.

Samuel Rutherford's quote critiques human ignorance, comparing us to helpless infants unaware of the greatness that lies ahead. It emphasizes the importance of divine intervention to remove our flaws like pride and self-love, shaping us into stronger individuals who can serve a higher purpose in life.

Themes

SpiritualityTransformationHumilitySelf-Awareness

In practice

Example use cases

In a sermon discussing transformation, a pastor might quote this to illustrate the need for divine assistance in overcoming pride.

More from Samuel Rutherford

See that you buy the field where the Pearl is; sell all, and make a purchase of salvation. Think it not easy: for it is a steep ascent to eternal glory: many are lying dead by the way, slain with security.
Samuel RutherfordRead
Let your children be as so many flowers, borrowed from God. If the flowers die or wither, thank God for a summer loan of them.
Samuel RutherfordRead
I know that, as night and shadows are good for flowers, and moonlight and dews are better than a continual sun, so is Christ's absence of special use, and that it hath some nourishing virtue in it, and giveth sap to humility, and putteth an edge on hunger, and funisheth a fairfield to faith to put forth itself, and to exercise its fingers in gripping it seeth not what.
Samuel RutherfordRead
Those who can take that crabbed tree handsomely upon their back, and fasten it on cannily, shall find it such a burden as wings unto a bird, or sails to a ship.
Samuel RutherfordRead
You will not be carried to Heaven lying at ease upon a feather bed.
Samuel RutherfordRead
Millions of hells of sinners cannot come near to exhaust infinite grace.
Samuel RutherfordRead

Similar quotes

Whatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is really your God.
Martin LutherRead
I hate to take compromises with a racing car. The more standard a car is, the more compromises you have to take.
Michael SchumacherRead
We have two alternatives: either we question our beliefs - or we don't. Either we accept our fixed versions of reality- or we begin to challenge them. In Buddha's opinion, to train in staying open and curious - to train in dissolving our assumptions and beliefs - is the best use of our human lives.
Pema ChodronRead
We always plan too much and always think too little.
Joseph A. SchumpeterRead
Baby, we have no choice of what color we're born or who our parents are or whether we're rich or poor. What we do have is some choice over what we make of our lives once we're here.
Mildred D. TaylorRead
O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, / That I am meek and gentle with these butchers!
William ShakespeareRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.