Many biblical verses are like inkblot tests, revealing more about us than about the text in question.
Harold S. KushnerRead
There seems to be something in the human soul that causes us to think less of ourselves every time we do something wrong... And maybe it is good for us to feel that way. It may make us more sensitive to what we do wrong and move us to repent and grow.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the human tendency to feel guilt after wrongdoing, suggesting that this feeling may promote personal growth and repentance.
Harold S. Kushner's quote explores the inherent sensitivity of the human soul in response to moral failings. It implies that feeling lesser after doing something wrong serves a purpose; it cultivates self-awareness and encourages individuals to recognize their faults. This awareness is not just a burden but a catalyst for growth and improvement, pushing us toward reflection and positive change in our lives.
Themes
SoulGuiltGrowthRepentanceSensitivity
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a motivational speech about personal growth and overcoming mistakes.
More from Harold S. Kushner
All quotes →I am quite confident that the most important part of a human being is not his physical body but his nonphysical essence, which some people call soul and others, personality... The nonphysical part cannot die and cannot decay because it's not physical.
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That is why we have to make room in our lives for people who may sometimes disappoint or exasperate us. If we hold our friends to a standard of perfection, or if they do that to us, we will end up far lonelier than we want to be.
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Pain is a part of being alive, and we need to learn that. Pain does not last forever, nor is it necessarily unbeatable, and we need to be taught that.
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Our souls are not hungry for fame, comfort, wealth, or power. Our souls are hungry for meaning, for the sense that we have figured out how to live so that our lives matter.
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We cannot live without the knowledge that someone cares about us.
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