The true secret of giving advice is, after you have honestly given it, to be perfectly indifferent whether it is taken or not, and never persist in trying to set people right.
Henry Ward BeecherRead
But when we borrow trouble, and look forward into the future to see what storms are coming, and distress ourselves before they come as to how we shall avert them if they ever do come, we lose our proper trustfulness in God. When we torment ourselves with imaginary dangers, or trials, or reverses, we have already parted with that perfect love which casteth out fear.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Worrying about future troubles undermines our faith and peace of mind.
This quote emphasizes the importance of maintaining trust and faith, particularly in the face of uncertainty and potential future challenges. By focusing on imaginary threats and allowing them to disturb our peace, we detract from our ability to exercise true love and trust in a higher power, ultimately leading to unnecessary suffering and fear.
Themes
WorryFaithTrustLoveFuturePeace
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech about managing anxiety and fear.
More from Henry Ward Beecher
All quotes →A man who cannot get angry is like a stream that cannot overflow, that is always turbid. Sometimes indignation is as good as a thunderstorm in summer, clearing and cooling the air.
Henry Ward BeecherRead
No one can deal with the hearts of men unless he has the sympathy which is given by love.
Henry Ward BeecherRead
We are always on the anvil; by trials God is shaping us for higher things.
Henry Ward BeecherRead
No man can tell if he is rich or poor by turning to his ledger. It is the heart that makes a man rich. He is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has.
Henry Ward BeecherRead
There are joys which long to be ours. God sends ten thousands truths, which come about us like birds seeking inlet; but we are shut up to them, and so they bring us nothing, but sit and sing awhile upon the roof, and then fly away.
Henry Ward BeecherRead
Similar quotes
Lose what? A man only has a soul to be won or lost; apart from his life, he has nothing. Past or future lives do not matter - at the moment you are living this one, and you should do so with silent comprehension, joy and enthusiasm. What you must not lose is your enthusiasm.
Paulo CoelhoRead
The less prudence with which others conduct their affairs, the greater the prudence with which we should conduct our own affairs.
Warren BuffettRead
Not knowing of the eternal leads to unfortunate errors.
LaoziRead
No man is so poor as to have nothing worth giving.
Henry Wadsworth LongfellowRead
Learn to be pleased with everything, with wealth so far as it makes us beneficial to others; with poverty, for not having much to care for; and with obscurity, for being unenvied.
PlutarchRead
It's just better to be yourself than to try to be some version of what you think the other person wants.
Matt DamonRead