I once heard a spiritual man say that he was not so much…
“I once heard a spiritual man say that he was not so much astonished at the things done by a soul in mortal sin as at the things not done by it. May God, in his mercy, deliver us from such great evil, for there is nothing in the whole of our lives that so thoroughly deserves to be called evil as this, since it brings endless and eternal evils in its train.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Sin is more shocking for what it fails to do than for what it does; neglect leads to greater evil.
In simple terms: Neglecting good deeds is worse than committing sins.
Key Takeaway
Focus on doing good, not just avoiding harm.
Themes
sin
neglect
spirituality
morality
Mood
contemplative
serious
Type
spiritual
ethical
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- pastoral counseling
- spiritual direction
- ethical education
Key Concepts
Christian mysticism
ethical reflection
Questions to Reflect On
- What good actions have you neglected?
- How can you turn neglect into purposeful action?
A Different Perspective
Human frailty can limit the ability to act virtuously despite intentions.