--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In making our decisions, we must use the…" description: "\"In making our decisions, we must use the brains that God has given us. But we must also use our hearts which He also gave us. A man who has not learned..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c30/alexander-maclaren-3410_bark_in-making-our-decisions-we-must-use-the_1548863.png" --- # In making our decisions, we must use the brains that God… ![“In making our decisions, we must use the brains that God has given us. But we must also use our hearts which He also gave us. A man who has not learned to say, No -who is not resolved that he will take God's way, in spite of every dog that can bay or bark at him, in spite of every silvery choice…” quote by Alexander MacLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c30/alexander-maclaren-3410_bark_in-making-our-decisions-we-must-use-the_1548863.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c30/alexander-maclaren-3410_bark_in-making-our-decisions-we-must-use-the_1548863.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c30/alexander-maclaren-3410_bark_in-making-our-decisions-we-must-use-the_1548863.png) > “In making our decisions, we must use the brains that God has given us. But we must also use our hearts which He also gave us. A man who has not learned to say, No -who is not resolved that he will take God's way, in spite of every dog that can bay or bark at him, in spite of every silvery choice that woos him aside-will be a weak and a wretched man till he dies.” [Alexander MacLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-maclaren/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Decisions should blend rational thought and heartfelt conviction, resisting external pressures and temptations that divert from divine purpose. **In simple terms:** Combine mind and heart in decisions, resisting distractions. Key Takeaway Balance intellect and emotion in choices. Themes faith decision‑making integrity Mood reflective serious Type theological philosophical When to use this quote - career choices - relationship decisions - moral dilemmas - spiritual discernment Key Concepts theology psychology Questions to Reflect On - What pressures sway your decisions? - How do you hear both mind and heart? A Different Perspective Human weakness may lead to compromise despite good intentions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bark/) [Brain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain/) [Brains God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brains-god-348268/) [Choice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choice/) [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision/) [Decision making](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision-making/) [Dies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dies/) [Dog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dog/) [Gave Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gave-man-260212/) [Given](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/given/) [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [God given](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-given/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Spite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spite/) [Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use/) [Use Brains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use-brains-248735/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Weak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weak/) [Wretched](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wretched/) ## Related quotes > [In making our decisions, we must use the brains that God has given us. 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I still gave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-simon-gunn/i-had-trusted-him-i-had-even-trusted-him-after-he-betrayed-me-i-was/) [Jacqueline Simon Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-simon-gunn/) > [“Life was generous: it gave a man a thousand things to be pissed off about.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-alberto-urrea/life-was-generous-it-gave-a-man-a-thousand-things-to-be-pissed-off/) [Luis Alberto Urrea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-alberto-urrea/) > [“It was God who gave a man's rib to a woman. But it is man who must learn to give away his heart and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/it-was-god-who-gave-a-man-s-rib-to-a-woman-but-it-is-man-who-must/) [Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [Education should train the child to use his brains, to make for himself a place in the world and maintain his rights even when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/education-should-train-the-child-to-use-his-brains-to-make-for/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) ## More by Alexander MacLaren > [If our faith in God is not the veriest sham, it demands, and will produce, the abandonment sometimes, the subordination always, of external helps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-maclaren/if-our-faith-in-god-is-not-the-veriest-sham-it-demands-and-will/) [Alexander MacLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-maclaren/) > [God keeps giving Himself as long as we bring that into which He can pour Himself. And when we stop bringing, He stops giving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-maclaren/god-keeps-giving-himself-as-long-as-we-bring-that-into-which-he-can/) [Alexander MacLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-maclaren/) > [As we look upon that agony and those tearful prayers, let us not only look with thankfulness; but let that kneeling Saviour teach us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-maclaren/as-we-look-upon-that-agony-and-those-tearful-prayers-let-us-not-only/) [Alexander MacLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-maclaren/) > [Ah, my brother, it is a far harder thing, and it is afar higher proof of a thorough-going, persistent, Christian principle woven into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-maclaren/ah-my-brother-it-is-a-far-harder-thing-and-it-is-afar-higher-proof-of/) [Alexander MacLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-maclaren/) > [The cross is the centre of the world's history; the incarnation of Christ and the crucifiction of our Lord are the pivot round which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-maclaren/the-cross-is-the-centre-of-the-world-s-history-the-incarnation-of/) [Alexander MacLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-maclaren/) > [The grave has a door on its inner side.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-maclaren/the-grave-has-a-door-on-its-inner-side/) [Alexander MacLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-maclaren/) > [Being in Christ, it is safe to forget the past; it is possible to be sure of the future; it is possible to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-maclaren/being-in-christ-it-is-safe-to-forget-the-past-it-is-possible-to-be/) [Alexander MacLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-maclaren/) > [Do not let the loud utterances of your own wills anticipate, nor drown, the still, small voice in which God speaks. Bridle impatience till…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-maclaren/do-not-let-the-loud-utterances-of-your-own-wills-anticipate-nor-drown/) [Alexander MacLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-maclaren/) > [Man's course begins in a garden, but it ends in a city.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-maclaren/man-s-course-begins-in-a-garden-but-it-ends-in-a-city/) [Alexander MacLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-maclaren/) > [The cup which my Saviour giveth me, can it be anything but a cup of salvation?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-maclaren/the-cup-which-my-saviour-giveth-me-can-it-be-anything-but-a-cup-of/) [Alexander MacLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-maclaren/) > [Love is the only fire that is hot enough to melt the iron obstinacy of a creatures' will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-maclaren/love-is-the-only-fire-that-is-hot-enough-to-melt-the-iron-obstinacy/) [Alexander MacLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-maclaren/) > [If you want to live in this world, doing the duty of life, knowing the blessings of it, doing your work heartily, and yet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-maclaren/if-you-want-to-live-in-this-world-doing-the-duty-of-life-knowing-the/) [Alexander MacLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-maclaren/) > [Faith is the sight of the inward eye.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-maclaren/faith-is-the-sight-of-the-inward-eye/) [Alexander MacLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-maclaren/) > [Every sin is a mistake, as well as a wrong; and the epitaph for the sinner is, "Thou fool!"](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-maclaren/every-sin-is-a-mistake-as-well-as-a-wrong-and-the-epitaph-for-the/) [Alexander MacLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-maclaren/) > [True peace comes not from the absence of trouble, but from the presence of God and will be deep and passing all understanding in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-maclaren/true-peace-comes-not-from-the-absence-of-trouble-but-from-the/) [Alexander MacLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-maclaren/) [Explore all 131 Alexander MacLaren quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-maclaren/) ## More Bark quotes > [A tree is a self: it is 'unseen shaping' more than it is leaves or bark, roots or cellulose or fruit ... What this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-swimme/a-tree-is-a-self-it-is-unseen-shaping-more-than-it-is-leaves-or-bark/) [Brian Swimme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-swimme/) > [If the watchdog doesn't bark, how do you know there's a burglar in the basement? And the press is supposed to be a watchdog.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-moyers/if-the-watchdog-doesn-t-bark-how-do-you-know-there-s-a-burglar-in-the/) [Bill Moyers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-moyers/) > [Guests are people who come to your home to see you whine at the table, bark loudly, jump on women wearing pantyhose, and do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peg-kehret/guests-are-people-who-come-to-your-home-to-see-you-whine-at-the-table/) [Peg Kehret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peg-kehret/) > [I was haunted always by my other life-my drab room in the Bronx, my square foot of the subway, my fixation upon the day's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/i-was-haunted-always-by-my-other-life-my-drab-room-in-the-bronx-my/) [F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/) > [We must guard against becoming so engrossed in the specific nature of the roots and bark of the trees of knowledge as to miss…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/we-must-guard-against-becoming-so-engrossed-in-the-specific-nature-of/) [George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/) > [A tortoise is, I suppose, a Jewish pet. It knows its place. Out on the lawn. It doesn't bark. It doesn't tear the Dralon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-lipman/a-tortoise-is-i-suppose-a-jewish-pet-it-knows-its-place-out-on-the/) [Maureen Lipman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-lipman/) > [Our legal system, including the police, is anti-Dalit and anti-poor. The death penalty laws' wrathful majesty, in blood-shot equality, deals the fatal blow on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/v-r-krishna-iyer/our-legal-system-including-the-police-is-anti-dalit-and-anti-poor-the/) [V. R. Krishna Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/v-r-krishna-iyer/) > [It is no use painting the foot of the tree white, the strength of the bark cries out from beneath the paint.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aime-cesaire/it-is-no-use-painting-the-foot-of-the-tree-white-the-strength-of-the/) [Aime Cesaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aime-cesaire/) > [Dogs, also, bark at what they do not know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heraclitus/dogs-also-bark-at-what-they-do-not-know/) [Heraclitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heraclitus/) > [The dogs may bark, but the caravan moves on](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-needham/the-dogs-may-bark-but-the-caravan-moves-on/) [Joseph Needham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-needham/) > [Dogs that bark dont bite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/german-proverb/dogs-that-bark-dont-bite/) [German Proverb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/german-proverb/) > [I bark my voice out through a closed throat, pretty much. 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Remember, dogs bark if they don't know the person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-bother-about-people-who-judge-you-without-knowing-you-remember/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you want to talk with the dogs, you must learn to bark, and bark like an old dog because he doesnt bark without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/if-you-want-to-talk-with-the-dogs-you-must-learn-to-bark-and-bark/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) [Browse all 383 Bark quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bark/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In making our decisions, we must use the brains that God has given us. But we must also use our hearts which He also gave us. 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