May we look upon our treasure, the furniture of our houses, and our garments, and try to discover whether the seeds of war have nourishment in these our possessions.
Interpretation
This quote encourages reflection on whether our possessions contribute to conflict and discord.
John Woolman's quote invites us to examine our material belongings and consider if they might be the source of strife or conflict. It suggests that the things we hold dear, such as furniture and clothing, may sometimes foster discord rather than harmony, urging us to be mindful of our possessions and their impact on our lives and society.
In practice
In a discussion on minimalism, one might reference this quote to highlight the relationship between possessions and personal conflict.
There is a principle which is pure, placed in the human mind, which in different places and ages hath had different names. It is, however, pure and proceeds from God. It is deep and inward, confined to no forms of religion nor excluded from any, where the heart stands in perfect sincerity. In whomsoever this takes root and grows, of what nation soever, they become brethren in the best sense of the expression.
To say we love God as unseen and at the same time exercise cruelty toward the least creature moving by His life or by life derived from Him, was a contradiction in itself.
While I meditate on the gulf towards which I travelled, and reflect on my youthful disobedience, for these things I weep, mine eye runneth down with water.
I must take issue with the term 'a mere child,' for it has been my invariable experience that the company of a mere child is infinitely preferable to that of a mere adult.
We were good boys, good Presbyterian boys, and loyal and all that; anyway, we were good Presbyterian boys when the weather was doubtful; when it was fair, we did wander a little from the fold.
If you want to be free, be free, because there's a million things to be.
Poverty is not socialism. To be rich is glorious.
It is our work to cast care, and it is God's work to take care.
It seems entirely possible to me that horrible things can be going on without us becoming horrible people.
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