It takes a noble man to plant a seed for a tree that will someday give shade to people he may never meet.
D. Elton TruebloodRead
A man has made at least a start on discovering the meaning of human life when he plants shade trees under which he knows full well he will never sit.
Interpretation
The quote reflects the selfless act of contributing to the future without personal benefit.
In this quote, D. Elton Trueblood highlights the profound idea that true understanding of human existence comes from acts of kindness and foresight. Planting shade trees symbolizes making sacrifices for the well-being of others, especially future generations, indicating that one's life gains meaning through selfless contributions rather than personal gain or immediate gratification.
In practice
In a speech about community service, this quote can emphasize the importance of contributing to societal welfare.
It takes a noble man to plant a seed for a tree that will someday give shade to people he may never meet.
Every one of us is a mystic. We may or may not realize it, we may not even like it. But whether we know it or not, whether we accept it or not, mystical experience is always there, inviting us on a journey of ultimate discovery. We have been given the gift of life in this perplexing world to become who we ultimately are: creatures of boundless love, caring compassion, and wisdom. Existence is a summons to the eternal journey of the sage - the sage we all are, if only we could see.
He lived in chambers that had once belonged to his deceased partner. They were a gloomy suite of rooms, in a lowering pile of building up a yard, where it had so little business to be, that one could scarcely help fancying it must have run there when it was a young house, playing at hide-and-seek with other houses, and forgotten the way out again.
The cause of freedom is not the cause of a race or a sect, a party or a class - it is the cause of humankind, the very birthright of humanity.
[E]very Man who comes among us, and takes up a piece of Land, becomes a Citizen, and by our Constitution has a Voice in Elections, and a share in the Government of the Country.
Perhaps it is time to debate culture. The common story is that in 'real' African culture, before it was tainted by the West, gender roles were rigid and women were contentedly oppressed.
God knows what we are going through when we grieve, and He wants to assure us of His love and concern. He also wants us to turn to Him and bring our heartaches and burdens to Him.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.