Outward judgment often fails, inward judgment never.
Interpretation
True understanding comes from self-reflection rather than external opinions.
The quote by Theodore Parker emphasizes the importance of introspection and self-awareness in forming judgments about oneself and others. While external perspectives may be inconsistent or biased, the insights gained from inward reflection lead to a more accurate and genuine understanding of truth and morality.
In practice
During a workshop on personal growth, this quote can be used to highlight the importance of looking within for guidance.
A democracy,- that is a government of all the people, by all the people, for all the people; of course, a government of the principles of eternal justice, the unchanging law of God; for shortness' sake I will call it the idea of Freedom.
Want and wealth equally harden the human heart, as frost and fire are both alien to the human flesh. Famine and gluttony alike drive away nature from the heart of man.
The books which help you most are those which make you think the most. The hardest way of learning is by easy reading; every man that tries it finds it so. But a great book that comes from a great thinker, — it is a ship of thought, deep freighted with truth, with beauty too.
No man is so great as mankind.
You may not, cannot, appropriate beauty. It is the wealth of the eye, and a cat may gaze upon a king.
Let us do our duty in our shop or our kitchen, in the market, the street, the office, the school, the home, just as faithfully as if we stood in the front rank of some great battle, and knew that victory for mankind depended on our bravery, strength, and skill. When we do that, the humblest of us will be serving in that great army which achieves the welfare of the world.
Omnipotence is not knowing how everything is done; it's just doing it.
There's small Revenge in Words, but Words may be greatly revenged
Resentment is an extremely bitter diet, I have no desire to make my own toxins.
There is indeed a certain sense of gratification when we do a good deed that gives us inward satisfaction, and a generous pride that accompanies a good conscience…These testimonies of a good conscience are pleasant; and such a natural pleasure is very beneficial to us; it is the only payment that can never fail. “On Repentance
You can measure the depth of a person's awakening by how they serve others
What else is there for me to conquer? Hopefully my ego. How will I know when I've succeeded? When I stop caring what anyone thinks.
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