How seldom we weigh our neighbor in the same balance with ourselves.
Thomas A KempisRead
Without the way, there is no going; without the truth, there is no knowing; without the life, there is no living.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the interconnectedness of way, truth, and life as essential components of existence and understanding.
Thomas A Kempis suggests that in order to navigate life effectively, one must adhere to a guiding path (the way), grasp the essence of reality (the truth), and embrace the vitality of existence (life). Each element supports the others, indicating that one cannot truly experience life without the others' influence and balance.
In practice
In a motivational speech about personal growth, you could quote this to highlight the importance of knowing one's path.
How seldom we weigh our neighbor in the same balance with ourselves.
He will easily be content and at peace, whose conscience is pure.
Trust not to your feelings for whatever they might be now, they will quickly be changed towards some other thing.
Jesus has many who love the kingdom of God, but few who bear a cross. He has many who desire His comfort, but few who desire His suffering. All want to rejoice with him, but few are willing to suffer for Him. He writes; there are many who admire his miracles, but there are few who follow in the humiliation of the cross.
Anyone who thinks hard work will never hurt you has never had to pay to have it done. Jesus now has many lovers of his Heavenly Kingdom, but few bearers of his cross.
He has great tranquillity of heart who cares neither for the praises nor the fault-finding of men. He will easily be content and pacified, whose conscience is pure. You are not holier if you are praised, nor the more worthless if you are found fault with. What you are, that you are; neither by word can you be made greater than what you are in the sight of God.
Our grandfathers were less well-housed, well-fed, well-clothed than we are. The strivings by which they bettered their lot are also those which deprived us of [Passenger] pigeons. Perhaps we now grieve because we are not sure, in our hearts, that we have gained by the exchange. The gadgets of industry bring us more comforts than the pigeons did, but do they add as much to the glory of the spring?
One of life's quiet excitements is to stand somewhat apart from yourself and watch yourself softly becoming the author of something beautiful even if it is only a floating ash.
Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God
Zen pretty much comes down to three things -- everything changes; everything is connected; pay attention.
Sometimes you have to travel a long way to find what is near
You can have an interesting story about a person living an interesting life. And if it's done well, that is just as engaging as the end of the world. A million people dying - we can't process. One person, we can process.
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