It hath been said, that there is of nothing so much in…
“It hath been said, that there is of nothing so much in hell as of self-will. The which is true, for there is nothing else there than self-will, and if there were no self-will, there would be no Devil and no hell. When it is said that Lucifer fell from Heaven, and turned away from God and the like, it meaneth nothing else than that he would have his own will, and would not be at one with the Eternal Will. So was it likewise with Adam in Paradise. And when we say Self-will, we mean, to will otherwise than as the One and Eternal Will of God willeth.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Self‑will opposes divine will, leading to spiritual bondage; surrendering personal will aligns one with the eternal will of God.
In simple terms: Self‑will separates us from divine purpose.
Key Takeaway
Align personal will with higher purpose.
Themes
spirituality
free will
theology
Mood
contemplative
serious
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- prayer
- ethical decisions
- moral dilemmas
Key Concepts
divine obedience
inner conflict
salvation
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance personal autonomy with spiritual obedience?
- What role does self‑will play in moral responsibility?
A Different Perspective
Absolute denial of self‑will may ignore healthy individuality.