It is said that if Noah's ark had to be built by a company; they would not have laid the keel yet; and it may be so. What is many men's business is nobody's business. The greatest things are accomplished by individual men.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of individual initiative over collective indecision and procrastination.
Charles Spurgeon reflects on the idea that large projects or great accomplishments often suffer from a lack of direction and decisiveness when too many people are involved. He suggests that true progress comes from the actions of dedicated individuals rather than a committee of many who might delay or complicate the process. This serves as a reminder that sometimes, taking the lead alone is what it takes to get things done.
In practice
During a team meeting, I quoted Spurgeon to emphasize the need for proactive leadership.
Amusement should be used to do us good “like a medicine”: it must never be used as the food of the man...Many have had all holy thoughts and gracious resolutions stamped out by perpetual trifling. Pleasure so called is the murderer of thought. This is the age of excessive amusement: everybody craves for it, like a babe for its rattle.
When you see no present advantage, walk by faith and not by sight. Do God the honor to trust Him when it comes to matters of loss for the sake of principle.
It is far easier to fight with sin in public than to pray against it in private.
You will never glory in God till first of all God has killed your glorying in yourself.
After faith comes repentance, or, rather, repentance is faith's twin brother and is born at the same time.
["All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant."] The original Hebrew word that has been translated "paths" means "well-worn roads' or "wheel tracks," such ruts as wagons make when they go down our green roads in wet weather and sink in up to the axles. God's ways are at times like heavy wagon tracks that cut deep into our souls, yet all of them are merciful.
They say you can't study Kabbalah until you are at least 40 years old. You know why? You have to have experienced at least one generation making the same mistakes as the previous one.
The trouble with nearly everybody who prays is that he says 'Amen' and runs away before God has a chance to reply. Listening to God is far more important than giving Him our ideas.
The only way to live in the midst of inharmonious influences is to strengthen the will power and endure all things, _x000D_ yet keeping fineness of character and nobility of manner together with an everlasting heart full of love.
I believe that I often bring out the best in somebody's talents.
Build the raft of meditation and self-discipline, to carry you across the river. There will be no ocean, and no rising tides to stop you; this is how comfortable your path shall be.
Fear always springs from ignorance.
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