See that you buy the field where the Pearl is; sell all, and make a purchase of salvation. Think it not easy: for it is a steep ascent to eternal glory: many are lying dead by the way, slain with security.
Samuel RutherfordRead
Verily, we know not what an evil it is to indulge ourselves, and to make an idol of our will.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote warns against self-indulgence and making our desires the ultimate authority in our lives.
Samuel Rutherford's quote reflects on the dangers of excessive self-indulgence and the consequences of elevating our own will above all else. It suggests that when we prioritize our desires without consideration for morality or the greater good, we risk falling into a form of idolatry that can lead to negative outcomes for ourselves and those around us.
Themes
Self-IndulgenceWillMoralityResponsibilityDesires
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech on personal responsibility, this quote can illustrate the importance of controlling one's desires.
More from Samuel Rutherford
All quotes βLet your children be as so many flowers, borrowed from God. If the flowers die or wither, thank God for a summer loan of them.
Samuel RutherfordRead
Oh thrice fools are we who like new-born princes weeping in the cradle know not that there is a kingdom before them then let our Lord's sweet hand square us and hammer us and strike off the knots of pride self-love and world-worship and infidelity that He may make us stones and pillars in His Father's house.
Samuel RutherfordRead
I know that, as night and shadows are good for flowers, and moonlight and dews are better than a continual sun, so is Christ's absence of special use, and that it hath some nourishing virtue in it, and giveth sap to humility, and putteth an edge on hunger, and funisheth a fairfield to faith to put forth itself, and to exercise its fingers in gripping it seeth not what.
Samuel RutherfordRead
Those who can take that crabbed tree handsomely upon their back, and fasten it on cannily, shall find it such a burden as wings unto a bird, or sails to a ship.
Samuel RutherfordRead
You will not be carried to Heaven lying at ease upon a feather bed.
Samuel RutherfordRead
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