Any pain entailed in repentance will always be far less than the suffering required to satisfy justice for unresolved transgression.
Interpretation
Facing the consequences of our actions, even if painful, is better than the long-term suffering of unresolved guilt.
This quote emphasizes the importance of repentance in the face of wrongdoing. It suggests that while the immediate pain of acknowledging and addressing our mistakes may be difficult, it is ultimately preferable to the lasting torment of living with unresolved guilt and the burden of justice left unmet. Therefore, embracing repentance can lead to personal growth and peace, while avoiding it only prolongs suffering.
In practice
In a motivational speech about overcoming guilt and embracing change.
Repentance is a divine gift, and there should be a smile on our faces when we speak of it. It points us to freedom, confidence, and peace. Rather than interrupting the celebration, the gift of repentance is the cause for true celebration.
As days lengthen into weeks and months and even years of adversity, the hurt grows deeper. The Church cannot hope to save a man on Sunday if during the week it is a complacent witness to the crucifixion of his soul.
Hard-earned achievement brings a sense of self-worth. Work builds and refines character, creates beauty, and is the instrument of our service to one another and to God. A consecrated life is filled with work, sometimes repetitive, sometimes menial, sometimes unappreciated but always work that improves, orders, sustains, lifts, ministers, aspires.
Integrity is fundamental to being men. Integrity means being truthful, but it also means accepting responsibility and honoring commitments and covenants.
By "moral discipline," I mean self-discipline based on moral standards. Moral discipline is the consistent exercise of agency to choose the right because it is right, even when it is hard. It rejects the self-absorbed life in favor of developing character worthy of respect and true greatness through Christlike service.
We must be careful, as we seek to become more and more [Christlike], that we do not become discouraged and lose hope. Becoming Christlike is a lifetime pursuit and very often involves growth and change that is slow, almost imperceptible.
Inflict not on an enemy every injury in your power, for he may afterwards become your friend.
The passions are the only orators which always persuade.
I covered the Vietnam War. I remember the lies that were told, the lives that were lost - and the shock when, twenty years after the war ended, former Defense Secretary Robert S. McNamara admitted he knew it was a mistake all along.
Suckers try to win arguments, nonsuckers try to win.
I don't guess. I think. I ponder. I deduce. Then I decide. But I never guess.
You'll lose it, if you talk about it
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