Activity Quote by Dorotheus of Gaza
“If one of you sees, sometime, something unedifying and so much as goes on to pass it on and put it into the heart of another brother, in doing so you not only harm yourself but you harm your brother by putting one more little bit of knavery into his heart. Even if that brother has his mind set on prayer or some other noble activity, and the first arrives and furnishes him with something to prate about, he not only impedes what he ought to be doing, but brings a temptation on him. There is nothing graver or more deadly than this doing harm, not only to himself but also to his neighbor.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Homily on Moral Conduct, 5th century CE
Sharing corrupting ideas spreads moral decay, harming both the teller and the listener, especially when it distracts from virtuous pursuits.
In simple terms: Bad ideas poison both giver and receiver.
Key Takeaway
Avoid spreading harmful thoughts.
Themes
morality
influence
spirituality
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
ethical
advisory
When to use this quote
- preaching
- personal counseling
- community leadership
- education
- media consumption
Key Concepts
ethics
temptation
corruption
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you discern harmful ideas before sharing?
- What responsibilities do you have for others' moral wellbeing?
A Different Perspective
Even good intentions can cause damage if the content is harmful.
![“In the beginning [in older days], if I were to say something that hurt the other person, I would turn it around by telling him, ‘Dear brother, my mind has been this way from the start!!!’ So the other person then becomes happy.” quote by Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f4e/dada-bhagwan-31_brother_in-the-beginning-in-older-days-if-i-were_3041926.jpg)
