Causes Quote by Charles Spurgeon
“For my part, I love to stand foot to foot with an honest foeman. To open warfare, bold and true hearts raise no objection but the ground of quarrel; it is covert enmity which we have most cause to fear, and best reason to loathe. That crafty kindness which inveigles me to sacrifice principle is the serpent in the grass - deadly to the incautious wayfarer.”
About This Quote
Source Sermon: The Serpent in the Grass, 1865
True conflict arises from hidden hostility, not overt battle; false kindness that tempts compromise is dangerous.
In simple terms: Hidden enmity is more threatening than open war.
Beware deceptive kindness that erodes principles.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- leadership
- personal relationships
- negotiations
- ethical decisions
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you recognize hidden threats in relationships?
- What safeguards protect your principles?
Covert hostility can be hard to detect and may lead to betrayal.