Ordinarily rivers run small at the beginning, grow broader…
“Ordinarily rivers run small at the beginning, grow broader and broader as they proceed, and become widest and deepest at the point, where they enter the sea. It is such rivers that the Christian's life is like. But the life of the mere worldly man is like those rivers in Southern Africa, which, proceeding from mountain freshets, are broad and deep at the beginning, and grow narrower and more shallow as they advance. They waster themselves by soaking into the sands, and at last they die out entirely. The farther they run the less there is of them.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote contrasts two life paths: one that expands and deepens like a river reaching the sea, representing spiritual growth; the other shrinks and fades, symbolizing worldly pursuits that lose substance over time.
In simple terms: Spiritual life deepens, worldly life shrinks.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate lasting purpose over fleeting gain.
Themes
spiritual growth
purpose
transformation
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- personal development
- faith practice
- career planning
- environmental stewardship
Key Concepts
Christianity
metaphor
life cycles
Questions to Reflect On
- What habits deepen your purpose?
- How can you avoid the “drying out” of your ambitions?
A Different Perspective
Worldly success can be hollow without deeper meaning.