Saints spring and thrive most internally, when they are most externally afflicted. Afflictions are the mother of virtue.
Interpretation
True strength and virtue often emerge from facing hardships and challenges.
In this quote, Thomas Brooks suggests that individuals, particularly saints or virtuous people, find their deepest strength and moral character through external struggles and afflictions. Rather than being deterred by challenges, these hardships nurture and cultivate virtue, indicating that adversity plays a crucial role in developing oneβs inner strength and goodness.
In practice
During a speech about resilience, one could reference this quote to emphasize the importance of overcoming difficulties.
Remember this-all the sighing, mourning, sobbing, and complaining in the world, does not so undeniably evidence a man to be humble, as his overlooking his own righteousness, and living really and purely upon the righteousness of Christ.
Grace and glory differ very little; the one is the seed, the other is the flower; grace is glory militant, glory is grace triumphant.
He is the best preacher, not that tickles the ear, but that breaks the heart.
Ah! sinner, remember this, there is no way on earth effectually to be rid of the guilt, filth, and power of sin, but by believing in a Saviour. It is not resolving, it is not complaining, it is not mourning, but believing, that will make thee divinely victorious over that body of sin that to this day is too strong for thee, and that will certainly be thy ruin, if it be not ruined by a hand of faith.
Self is the only oil that makes the chariot-wheels of the hypocrite move in all religious concerns.
Humility can weep over other men's weaknesses, and joy and rejoice over their graces.
Remember you come here having already understood the necessity of struggling with yourself β only with yourself. Therefore thank everyone who gives you the opportunity.
It is always advisable to perceive clearly our ignorance.
If we live our lives as a gift it is possible to reach a blissful state of eternal happiness. It is those who live their life with a sense of entitlement that undermine peace , freedom and liberty. Know that every breath is a miracle and every moment a blessing and you will achieve your dreams. Planning other people's actions means to prevent them from planning for themselves, means to deprive them of their essentially human quality, means enslaving them.
No grand idea was ever born in a conference, but a lot of foolish ideas have died there.
Avoidance doesnβt solve anything; it merely serves as a temporary salve.
Prepare for the unknown, unexpected and inconceivable . . . after 50 years of flying I'm still learning every time I fly.
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