We are, not metaphorically but in very truth, a Divine…
““We are, not metaphorically but in very truth, a Divine work of art, something that God is making, and therefore something with which He will not be satisfied until it has a certain character. Here again we come up against what I have called the “intolerable compliment.” Over a sketch made idly to amuse a child, an artist may not take much trouble: he may be content to let it go even though it is not exactly as he meant it to be. But over the great picture of his life—the work which he loves, though in a different fashion, as intensely as a man loves a woman or a mother a child—he will take endless trouble—and would doubtless, thereby give endless trouble to the picture if it were sentient. One can imagine a sentient picture, after being rubbed and scraped and re-commenced for the tenth time, wishing that it were only a thumb-nail sketch whose making was over in a minute. In the same way, it is natural for us to wish that God had designed for us a less glorious and less arduous destiny; but then we are wishing not for more love but for less.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Human life is a divine artwork, demanding effort and love, not a simple sketch.
In simple terms: Life is a complex, purposeful creation.
Key Takeaway
Embrace the challenge of a meaningful life.
Themes
purpose
divine
effort
Mood
thoughtful
hopeful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- creative pursuits
- spiritual practice
- relationship building
Key Concepts
existentialism
theology
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “intolerable compliment” mean for you?
- How do you balance effort with acceptance?
A Different Perspective
Seeking ease may diminish depth of experience.