Born Quote by Chaim Potok
“A man is born into this world with only a tiny spark of goodness in him. The spark is God, it is the soul; the rest is ugliness and evil, a shell. The spark must be guarded like a treasure, it must be nurtured, it must be fanned into flame. It must learn to seek out other sparks, it must dominate the shell. Anything can be a shell, Reuven. Anything. Indifference, laziness, brutality, and genius. Yes, even a great mind can be a shell and choke the spark.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Chosen, 1967
Human nature contains a small innate goodness that must be protected and cultivated against surrounding negativity.
In simple terms: A tiny spark of goodness exists within each person.
Key Takeaway
Guard and nurture your inner goodness.
Themes
human nature
goodness
corruption
self‑development
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- education
- leadership
- overcoming cynicism
Key Concepts
spirituality
psychology
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you identify your own “shells”?
- What practices keep your spark alive?
A Different Perspective
Even with nurture, external influences can overwhelm the spark.
