Body Quote by Catherine of Genoa
“Know for a certainty that if men understood how terrible is even one solitary sin, they would rather be cast into a heated furnace, and there remain, living both in soul and body, than to support such a sight. And if the sea were all fire they would cast themselves therein and never leave it, if they were certain of meeting the sin on doing so.”
About This Quote
Source Mystical Writing: The Life of Saint Catherine of Genoa, 15th century
Understanding even a single sin's horror would drive one to endure extreme suffering rather than commit it.
In simple terms: Knowing sin’s horror makes one choose suffering over sin.
Key Takeaway
Reflect on the gravity of moral choices.
Themes
sin
redemption
spirituality
sacrifice
faith
Mood
contemplative
serious
Type
spiritual
ethical
When to use this quote
- confession
- spiritual counseling
- ethical decision making
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
theology
psychology of guilt
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this say about human capacity for self‑discipline?
- Can fear of sin motivate positive change?
A Different Perspective
Human nature may resist such extreme aversion to sin.
![“That was the birth of sin. Not doing it, but KNOWING about it. Before the apple, [Adam and Eve] had shut their eyes and their minds had gone dark. Now, they peeped and pried and imagined. They watched themselves.” quote by D. H. Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/238/d-h-lawrence-426_adam_that-was-the-birth-of-sin-not-doing-it-b_705977.jpg)
![“I've used the Phoenix Centrifuge to replicate what the body's going to go through on the flight up. I've also done some gravity tests with ZERO-G [a charter-flight service in Arlington, Va., that uses modified Boeing 727s to simulate weightlessness], which went great.” quote by Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aa1/richard-branson-256_adventure_i-ve-used-the-phoenix-centrifuge-to-repl_903.jpg)
