Religion without humanity is very poor human stuff.
Sojourner TruthRead
It is written that there shall be a separation, and the sheep shall be separated from the goats. The other preachers have the sheep; I have the goats. And I have a few sheep among my goats, but they are very ragged.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects the idea of discernment in spiritual or moral contexts, where individuals are categorized based on their values and behaviors.
Sojourner Truth's quote uses the metaphor of separating sheep from goats to illustrate the differentiated paths of people's lives, particularly in terms of their spiritual or moral character. In this context, the sheep represent those who adhere to certain virtues or beliefs, while the goats symbolize those who may stray from the expected or accepted norms. Truth’s assertion that she has 'goats' suggests an acceptance of the complex nature of humanity, where not all who follow a path do so perfectly, and some may exhibit flaws despite their potential for goodness.
Themes
SeparationSheepGoatsTruthMoralityCharacter
In practice
Example use cases
In a sermon about discernment in our communities, you could cite this quote to illustrate the diversity of belief.
More from Sojourner Truth
All quotes →That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman?
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The rich rob the poor and the poor rob one another.
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Good man! Genuine gentleman! God bless George Thompson, the great-hearted friend of my race.
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And ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?
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Because of them I can now live the dream. I am the seed of the free, and I know it. I intend to bear great fruit.
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