Those who tread among serpents, and along a tortuous path, must use the cunning of the serpent.
Interpretation
One must be shrewd and clever when navigating difficult or dangerous situations.
This quote by Thomas Becket emphasizes the necessity of being astute and strategic when confronted with challenging or perilous circumstances. Just as a serpent must be cunning to survive among its own kind, individuals must adapt their behavior and thinking to effectively deal with the complexities and dangers of life.
In practice
In a motivational speech about overcoming challenges.
It is important that the Church of London, which has now lost its ruler, should receive for its new bishop a man whose personal merit, attainments in learning, and prudence in managing public business shall not be unworthy of the dignity of that see.
I am ready to die for my Lord, that in my blood the Church may obtain liberty and peace.
The more I loved the king, the more I opposed his injustice until his brow fell lowering upon me. He heaped calumny after calumny on my head, and I chose to be driven out rather than to subscribe.
Could I anticipate the enmity of those for whom I encountered such opposition? If they had been willing, I should have gained the victory. But the head faints when it is abandoned by the other members. If they had been wise they would have seen that in attacking me they were attacking their own privileges and serving princes to their own servitude.
Whosoever wisely examines the works of God will speedily discover what is next to be done.
The rashness of the persecutor hath overspread the rights of the persecuted so that punishment is awarded to him that has gained the victory, the inglorious triumphs, and the man who deserved bonds has carried off the prize.
The way to deal with superstition is not to be polite to it, but to tackle it with all arms, and so rout it, cripple it, and make it forever infamous and ridiculous.
The Master observes the world, but trusts his inner vision. He allows things to come and go. His heart is as open as the sky.
Many an object is not seen, though it falls within the range of our visual ray, because it does not come within the range of our intellectual ray.
I know of no case where a man added to his dignity by standing on it.
Weβre all imperfect and we all have needs. The weak usually do not ask for help, so they stay weak. If we recognize that we are imperfect, we will ask for help and we will pray for the guidance necessary to bring positive results to whatever we are doing.
Practice radical humility." He (or she)who masters the art of humility cannot be humiliated.
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