--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There are only two places where the…" description: "\"There are only two places where the powerful and great in this world lose their courage, tremble in the depths of their souls, and become truly afraid...." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bd/dietrich-bonhoeffer-303_bethlehem_there-are-only-two-places-where-the-powe_1874826.jpg" --- # There are only two places where the powerful and great in… ![“There are only two places where the powerful and great in this world lose their courage, tremble in the depths of their souls, and become truly afraid. These are the manger and the cross of Jesus Christ…No priest, no theologian stood at the cradle of Bethlehem. And yet, all Christian theology…” quote by Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bd/dietrich-bonhoeffer-303_bethlehem_there-are-only-two-places-where-the-powe_1874826.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bd/dietrich-bonhoeffer-303_bethlehem_there-are-only-two-places-where-the-powe_1874826.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bd/dietrich-bonhoeffer-303_bethlehem_there-are-only-two-places-where-the-powe_1874826.jpg) > “There are only two places where the powerful and great in this world lose their courage, tremble in the depths of their souls, and become truly afraid. These are the manger and the cross of Jesus Christ…No priest, no theologian stood at the cradle of Bethlehem. And yet, all Christian theology finds its beginnings in the miracle of miracles, that God became human.” [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Even the most powerful fear when confronted with the humility of birth and death, symbolized by the manger and the cross. **In simple terms:** Powerful people fear humility and sacrifice. Key Takeaway Embrace humility despite fear. Themes humility fear spirituality Mood contemplative serious Type theological philosophical When to use this quote - leadership challenges - ethical dilemmas - personal sacrifice - faith crises Key Concepts theology existential crisis Questions to Reflect On - What does humility demand of you? - How can you confront fear in leadership? A Different Perspective Fear can paralyze action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christ/) [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Christian theology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-theology/) [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) [Cross Of Jesus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cross-of-jesus/) [Depth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depth/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Jesus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jesus/) [Miracle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/miracle/) [Miracles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/miracles/) [Priests](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/priests/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) [Theologian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theologian/) [Theology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theology/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [“The most experienced psychologist or observer of human nature knows infinitely less of the human heart than the simplest Christian who lives beneath the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/the-most-experienced-psychologist-or-observer-of-human-nature-knows/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [“Anybody who lives beneath the Cross and who has discerned in the Cross of Jesus the utter wickedness of all men and of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/anybody-who-lives-beneath-the-cross-and-who-has-discerned-in-the/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [“In confession occurs the breakthrough of the Cross. The root of all sin is pride, superbia. I want to be my own law, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/in-confession-occurs-the-breakthrough-of-the-cross-the-root-of-all/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [Upon that cross of Jesus Mine eye at times can see The very dying form of One Who suffered there for me; And from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/upon-that-cross-of-jesus-mine-eye-at-times-can-see-the-very-dying/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The cross of Jesus is the fulcrum of the scriptures. The saving work of Jesus is His death. He is our Savior in His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-wolfmueller/the-cross-of-jesus-is-the-fulcrum-of-the-scriptures-the-saving-work/) [Bryan Wolfmueller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-wolfmueller/) > [“The time to be judgmental was past on the cross of Jesus Christ ,try to have God's heart of mercy and grace which will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wordfaith3/the-time-to-be-judgmental-was-past-on-the-cross-of-jesus-christ-try/) wordfaith3 > [As I survey the cross of Jesus Christ, the more convinced I am that nothing was ever cute about my sin, I was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-i-survey-the-cross-of-jesus-christ-the-more-convinced-i-am-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When, in adoration, we look at the consecrated Host, the sign of creation speaks to us. And so, we encounter the greatness of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/when-in-adoration-we-look-at-the-consecrated-host-the-sign-of/) [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) > [My sin in the past: forgiven. My current struggles: covered. My future failures: paid in full all by the marvelous, infinite, matchless grace found…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-chandler/my-sin-in-the-past-forgiven-my-current-struggles-covered-my-future/) [Matt Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-chandler/) > [The single most important thread in working through your disappointments is that your heart and mind ponder and grasp what the cross of Jesus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/the-single-most-important-thread-in-working-through-your/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [The center of salvation is the Cross of Jesus, and the reason it is so easy to obtain salvation is because it cost God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/the-center-of-salvation-is-the-cross-of-jesus-and-the-reason-it-is-so/) [Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/) > [The cross of Jesus Christ represents the intersection of God's love and God's holiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jeffress/the-cross-of-jesus-christ-represents-the-intersection-of-god-s-love/) [Robert Jeffress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jeffress/) > [“Look at the girl I loved and who loved me and how she ended. She wore the cross of Jesus about her neck and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-hill/look-at-the-girl-i-loved-and-who-loved-me-and-how-she-ended-she-wore/) [Joe Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-hill/) > [“But isn’t the whole idea of sanctification the fact that we’re not really there yet? That we’re still growing and becoming? Still learning how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-chandler/but-isn-t-the-whole-idea-of-sanctification-the-fact-that-we-re-not/) [Matt Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-chandler/) > [Outside of the cross of Jesus Christ, there is no hope in this world. That cross and resurrection at the core of the Gospel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/outside-of-the-cross-of-jesus-christ-there-is-no-hope-in-this-world/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) ## More by Dietrich Bonhoeffer > [So the fool, as distinct from the scoundrel, is completely self- satisfied; in fact, he can easily become dangerous, as it does not take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/so-the-fool-as-distinct-from-the-scoundrel-is-completely-self/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [Why do Christians sing when they are together? The reason is, quite simply, because in singing together it is possible for them to speak…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/why-do-christians-sing-when-they-are-together-the-reason-is-quite/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [What we shall need is not geniuses, or cynics, or misanthropes, or clever tacticians, but plain, honest, straghtforward men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/what-we-shall-need-is-not-geniuses-or-cynics-or-misanthropes-or/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [...Gratitude transforms the torment of memory of good things now gone into silent joy. One bears what was lovely in the past not as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/gratitude-transforms-the-torment-of-memory-of-good-things-now-gone/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [Only he who believes is obedient and only he who is obedient believes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/only-he-who-believes-is-obedient-and-only-he-who-is-obedient-believes/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [Who can really be faithful in great things if he has not learned to be faithful in the things of daily life?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/who-can-really-be-faithful-in-great-things-if-he-has-not-learned-to/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [“The church can only defend its own space by fighting, not for space, but for the salvation of the world. Otherwise the church becomes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/the-church-can-only-defend-its-own-space-by-fighting-not-for-space/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [There remains an experience of incomparable value . . . to see the great events of world history from below; from the perspective of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/there-remains-an-experience-of-incomparable-value-to-see-the-great/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [“To endure the cross is not a tragedy; it is the suffering which is the fruit of an exclusive allegiance to Jesus Christ. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/to-endure-the-cross-is-not-a-tragedy-it-is-the-suffering-which-is-the/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [“There is only one church, the church of faith ruled by the word of Jesus Christ alone. This is the true catholic church that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/there-is-only-one-church-the-church-of-faith-ruled-by-the-word-of/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [“As Christians, we needn’t be at all ashamed of some impatience, longing, opposition to what is unnatural, and our full share of desire for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/as-christians-we-needn-t-be-at-all-ashamed-of-some-impatience-longing/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [Those who love their dream of a Christian community more than the Christian community itself become destroyers of that Christian community even though their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/those-who-love-their-dream-of-a-christian-community-more-than-the/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [“From now on there can be no more wars of faith. The only way to overcome our enemy is by loving him.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/from-now-on-there-can-be-no-more-wars-of-faith-the-only-way-to/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [“The scriptures do not present us with a series of Christian types to be imitated according to choice; they preach to us in every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/the-scriptures-do-not-present-us-with-a-series-of-christian-types-to/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [We are not to simply bandage the wounds of victims beneath the wheels of injustice, we are to drive a spoke into the wheel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/we-are-not-to-simply-bandage-the-wounds-of-victims-beneath-the-wheels/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) [Explore all 711 Dietrich Bonhoeffer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) ## More Bethlehem quotes > [“Rachel’s tomb is located a short distance north of Bethlehem, on the road between Jerusalem and Hebron. It consists of a small building with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/rachel-s-tomb-is-located-a-short-distance-north-of-bethlehem-on-the/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [One response was given by the innkeeper when Mary and Joseph wanted to find a room where the Child could be born. The innkeeper…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/one-response-was-given-by-the-innkeeper-when-mary-and-joseph-wanted/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [This Christmas, as the spirit of the season permeates our hearts, let us do something that expresses our feelings in an outward way, showing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-e-stevenson/this-christmas-as-the-spirit-of-the-season-permeates-our-hearts-let/) [Gary E. Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-e-stevenson/) > [And what rough beast, its hour come round at last, Slouches toward Bethlehem to be born?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-butler-yeats/and-what-rough-beast-its-hour-come-round-at-last-slouches-toward/) [William Butler Yeats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-butler-yeats/) > [Force was the factor in the government of the world when Christ was born, and force was the source and exercise of authority both…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chauncey-depew/force-was-the-factor-in-the-government-of-the-world-when-christ-was/) [Chauncey Depew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chauncey-depew/) > [“Shall we go to Bethlehem, men? Or shall we DANCE”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-barry/shall-we-go-to-bethlehem-men-or-shall-we-dance/) [Dave Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-barry/) > [Maybe your life resembles a Bethlehem stable. Crude in some spots, smelly in others. Not much glamour. Not always neat. People in your circle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/maybe-your-life-resembles-a-bethlehem-stable-crude-in-some-spots/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [During the first 13 centuries after the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, no one thought of setting up a creche to celebrate Christmas. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-pearcey/during-the-first-13-centuries-after-the-birth-of-jesus-in-bethlehem/) [Nancy Pearcey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pearcey/) > [Bethlehem and Golgotha, the Manger and the Cross, the birth and the death, must always be seen together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-sidlow-baxter/bethlehem-and-golgotha-the-manger-and-the-cross-the-birth-and-the/) [J. Sidlow Baxter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-sidlow-baxter/) > [It is difficult to look at any newborn baby and accept that he or she will necessarily encounter pain, challenges, disappointments, and hardships in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-d-huntsman/it-is-difficult-to-look-at-any-newborn-baby-and-accept-that-he-or-she/) [Eric D. Huntsman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-d-huntsman/) > [Christ was born in the first century, yet he belongs to all centuries. He was born a Jew, yet He belongs to all races.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-truett/christ-was-born-in-the-first-century-yet-he-belongs-to-all-centuries/) [George W Truett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-truett/) > [Let the Bible be the Bible. It's not about science. It's not accurate history. It is a grab bag of religious fantasies written by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-gardner/let-the-bible-be-the-bible-it-s-not-about-science-it-s-not-accurate/) [Martin Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-gardner/) > [Christmas in Bethlehem. The ancient dream: a cold, clear night made brilliant by a glorious star, the smell of incense, shepherds and wise men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucinda-franks/christmas-in-bethlehem-the-ancient-dream-a-cold-clear-night-made/) [Lucinda Franks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucinda-franks/) > [I am not a believer in large salaries. I hold that every man should be paid for personal production. Our big men at Bethlehem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-m-schwab/i-am-not-a-believer-in-large-salaries-i-hold-that-every-man-should-be/) [Charles M. Schwab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-m-schwab/) > [Christ could be born a thousand times in Bethlehem - but all in vain until He is born in me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angelus-silesius/christ-could-be-born-a-thousand-times-in-bethlehem-but-all-in-vain/) [Angelus Silesius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angelus-silesius/) Browse all 109 Bethlehem quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There are only two places where the powerful and great in this world lose their courage, tremble in the depths of their souls, and become truly afraid. These are the manger and the cross of Jesus Christ…No priest, no theologian stood at the cradle of Bethlehem. And yet, all Christian theology finds its beginnings in the miracle of miracles, that God became human.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dietrich Bonhoeffer" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/there-are-only-two-places-where-the-powerful-and-great-in-this-world/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Bethlehem" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/there-are-only-two-places-where-the-powerful-and-great-in-this-world/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bd/dietrich-bonhoeffer-303_bethlehem_there-are-only-two-places-where-the-powe_1874826.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bd/dietrich-bonhoeffer-303_bethlehem_there-are-only-two-places-where-the-powe_1874826.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bd/dietrich-bonhoeffer-303_bethlehem_there-are-only-two-places-where-the-powe_1874826.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There are only two places where the powerful and great in this world lose their courage, tremble in the…” — Dietrich Bonhoeffer", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Dietrich Bonhoeffer", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "There are only two places where...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/there-are-only-two-places-where-the-powerful-and-great-in-this-world/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/there-are-only-two-places-where-the-powerful-and-great-in-this-world/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```