QuoteProject
No man can attain to the knowledge of God but by humility. The way to mount high is to descend.
Giles Of Assisi
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

True understanding comes from humility, and one must lower themselves to rise spiritually.

This quote emphasizes the idea that knowledge of the divine requires humility; it is only through recognizing our limitations and being humble that we can attain greater spiritual awareness. The paradox presented here is that to reach higher states of understanding and enlightenment, one must first 'descend' or humble themselves, suggesting that ego and pride can hinder our spiritual journey.

Themes

HumilityKnowledgeSpiritualityHigher UnderstandingSelf-Awareness

In practice

Example use cases

A speaker at a spiritual retreat could use this quote to highlight the importance of humility in personal growth.

Similar quotes

We can ignore even pleasure. But pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world....No doubt pain as God's megaphone is a terrible instrument; it may lead to final and unrepented rebellion. But it gives the only opportunity the bad man can have for amendment. it removes the veil; it plants the flag of truth within the fortress of the rebel soul.
C. S. LewisRead
Let us understand that God is a physician, and that suffering is a medicine for salvation, not a punishment for damnation.
Saint AugustineRead
Man is the only animal capable of reasoning, though many others possess the faculty of memory and instruction in common with him.
AristotleRead
When the institutions of money rule the world, it is perhaps inevitable that the interests of money will take precedence over the interests of people. What we are experiencing might best be described as a case of money colonizing life. To accept this absurd distortion of human institutions and purpose should be considered nothing less than an act of collective, suicidal insanity.
David KortenRead
The most important relationship we can all have is the one you have with yourself, the most important journey you can take is one of self-discovery. To know yourself, you must spend time with yourself, you must not be afraid to be alone. Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.
AristotleRead
Remove the Ego and Avidya (Ignorance) is gone. Look for it, the ego vanishes and the real Self alone remains.
Ramana MaharshiRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.