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It was a cold morning, and he shivered a little; but he…

“It was a cold morning, and he shivered a little; but he had been taught by his uncle that his prayers were more acceptable to God if he said them in his nightshirt than if he waited till he was dressed. This did not surprise him, for he was beginning to realise that he was the creature of a God…” quote by W. Somerset Maugham
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““It was a cold morning, and he shivered a little; but he had been taught by his uncle that his prayers were more acceptable to God if he said them in his nightshirt than if he waited till he was dressed. This did not surprise him, for he was beginning to realise that he was the creature of a God who appreciated the discomfort of his worshippers.””

W. Somerset Maugham

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A man learns that praying in discomfort pleases God more, reflecting a belief that divine favor lies with sincere, humble worship.

In simple terms: God prefers sincere prayers made in discomfort.

Key Takeaway

Seek humility and honesty in spiritual practice.

Themes

faith humility divine expectation

Mood

contemplative thoughtful

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • personal prayer
  • religious reflection
  • moral teaching

Key Concepts

theology spiritual authenticity human suffering

Questions to Reflect On

  • Why might discomfort be seen as spiritually valuable?
  • How does this view affect personal well‑being?
A Different Perspective

May overlook the value of comfort and mental health.

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