The earth has grown old with its burden of care, But at Christmas it always is young.
Phillips BrooksRead
There is no life so humble that, if it be true and genuinely human and obedient to God, it may not hope to shed some of His light. There is no life so meager that the greatest and wisest of us can afford to despise it. We cannot know at what moment it may flash forth with the life of God.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Every life has value and potential, no matter how humble it may seem.
This quote by Phillips Brooks emphasizes the intrinsic value of every human life, suggesting that even the most modest existence can illuminate the world with divine goodness and truth. It encourages an appreciation for all lives, as we cannot predict how anyone might embody the essence of humanity and bring forth remarkable truths or insights that reflect the greatness of God.
Themes
LifeValueHumilityDivineAppreciation
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about community service, referencing this quote can highlight the importance of valuing every individual's contribution.
More from Phillips Brooks
All quotes →We never become truly spiritual by sitting down and wishing to become so. You must undertake something so great that you cannot accomplish it unaided.
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The truest help we can render an afflicted man is not to take his burden from him, but to call out his best energy, that he may be able to bear the burden.
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To believe in the God over us and around us and not in the God within us - that would be a powerless and fruitless faith.
Phillips BrooksRead
To say, 'well done' to any bit of good work is to take hold of the powers which have made the effort and strengthen them beyond our knowledge.
Phillips BrooksRead
Think of life as a voyage. The truest liver of the truest life is like a voyager who, as he sails, is not indifferent to all the beauty of the sea around him.
Phillips BrooksRead
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