As long as habit and routine dictate the pattern of living, new dimensions of the soul will not emerge.
Henry Van DykeRead
There are two good rules which ought to be written on every heart - never to believe anything bad about anybody unless you positively know it to be true; never to tell even that unless you feel that it is absolutely necessary, and that God is listening.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of holding a constructive view of others and only sharing information that is truly necessary.
Henry Van Dyke's quote suggests that we should uphold a positive perspective on others and be cautious about spreading negative information. It urges us to consider the truth before believing or sharing harmful statements about others, highlighting the moral responsibility we carry in our communications, as if divine oversight is present in our actions.
Themes
TruthCommunicationPositivityMoralityResponsibility
In practice
Example use cases
This quote is perfect for a conversation about integrity and ethics in relationships.
More from Henry Van Dyke
All quotes βIt is with rivers as it is with people: the greatest are not always the most agreeable nor the best to live with.
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Let me but find it in my heart to say, When vagrant wishes beckon me astray, "This is my work; my blessing, not my doom; Of all who live, I am the one by whom This work can best be done in the right way."
Henry Van DykeRead
And you will remember that love is not getting, but giving; not a wild dream of pleasure, and a madness of desire β oh no, love is not that β it is goodness, and honour, and peace, and pure living β yes, love is that; and it is the best thing in the world, and the thing that lives longest.
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Oh, London is a man's town, there's power in the air; And Paris is a woman's town, with flowers in her hair; And it's sweet to dream in Venice, and it's great to study Rome; But when it comes to living, there is no place like home.
Henry Van DykeRead
No amount of energy will take the place of thought. A strenuous life with its eyes shut is a kind of wild insanity.
Henry Van DykeRead
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