Poetry Quote by Dean MacNeil
““the second verse, Marley tells of the role of wisdom in salvation: Which man can save his brother’s soul? Oh man, it’s just self-control Don’t gain the world and lose your soul Wisdom is better than silver and gold480 In lines one and two, he links salvation with self-control, an aspect of wisdom which can be considered a theme both in Marley’s lyrics and in wisdom literature.””
About This Quote
Source Article: Marley’s Wisdom in Lyrics, Dean MacNeil, 2015
Marley links salvation with self‑control, valuing wisdom over material wealth.
In simple terms: Self‑control leads to salvation.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize wisdom over riches.
Themes
spirituality
wisdom
self‑control
Mood
reflective
motivational
Type
philosophical
advice
When to use this quote
- personal finance
- ethical decisions
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
religious studies
literature
Questions to Reflect On
- How does self‑control affect your life?
- What wisdom do you value most?
A Different Perspective
Materialism can dominate choices.
![“...for our wisdom is better than the strength of men or of horses. ... nor is it right to prefer strength to excellent wisdom. For if there should be in the city [any athlete whose skill] is honoured more than strength ... the city would not on that account be any better governed.” quote by Xenophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e65/xenophanes-16062_accounts_for-our-wisdom-is-better-than-the-streng_36482.jpg)
![“[I]f you know what life is worth / You would look for yours on earth.”266” quote by Dean MacNeil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/75f/dean-macneil-49792_life_i-f-you-know-what-life-is-worth-you-woul_2130443.jpg)
![“Proverbs 3:16 states, “Length of days is in [wisdom’s] right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour” (KJV). Yet Marley does not interpret the riches of wisdom as earthly riches. When asked, “Are you a rich man? Do you have a lot of possessions?” he responded, in typical Marley fashion, with…” quote by Dean MacNeil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4de/dean-macneil-49792_left-hand_proverbs-3-16-states-length-of-days-is-i_2465762.jpg)
![“The goal of wisdom is the good life, here and now.”265 Marley similarly emphasizes a this-worldly life of joy: “[I]f you know what life is worth / You would look for yours on earth.”266 Marley does not want people to have to wait until the afterlife to live. He states, “I want people to live big…” quote by Dean MacNeil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f2f/dean-macneil-49792_goals_the-goal-of-wisdom-is-the-good-life-here_3048760.jpg)
