--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you put something fragrant on to…" description: "\"If you put something fragrant on to burning coals, you motivate those who approach to come back again and to stay near, but if instead you put on somet..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e5/gregory-palamas-12213_approach_if-you-put-something-fragrant-on-to-burn_2011872.jpg" --- # If you put something fragrant on to burning coals, you… ![“If you put something fragrant on to burning coals, you motivate those who approach to come back again and to stay near, but if instead you put on something with an unpleasant, oppressive smell, you repel them and drive them away. It is the same with the mind. If your attention is occupied with…” quote by Gregory Palamas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e5/gregory-palamas-12213_approach_if-you-put-something-fragrant-on-to-burn_2011872.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e5/gregory-palamas-12213_approach_if-you-put-something-fragrant-on-to-burn_2011872.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e5/gregory-palamas-12213_approach_if-you-put-something-fragrant-on-to-burn_2011872.jpg) > “If you put something fragrant on to burning coals, you motivate those who approach to come back again and to stay near, but if instead you put on something with an unpleasant, oppressive smell, you repel them and drive them away. It is the same with the mind. If your attention is occupied with what is holy, you make yourself worthy of being visited by God, since this is the sweet savour which God catches scent of. On the other hand, if you nurture evil, foul and earthly thoughts within you, you remove yourself from God's supervision and unfortunately make yourself worthy of His aversion.” [Gregory Palamas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-palamas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Focusing on holy thoughts attracts divine favor; dwelling on evil repels it, shaping spiritual experience. **In simple terms:** Holy thoughts draw God; evil thoughts push Him away. Key Takeaway Cultivate sacred attention. Themes spirituality mindfulness morality Mood contemplative serene Type theological inspirational When to use this quote - personal meditation - prayer - ethical decision making Key Concepts theology psychology Questions to Reflect On - How do you choose what occupies your mind? - What practices help keep thoughts holy? A Different Perspective Spiritual outcomes also depend on community and actions, not just thoughts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Approach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/approach/) [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Aversion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aversion/) [Burning coal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/burning-coal/) [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Holy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holy/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Nurture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nurture/) [Orthodox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/orthodox/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Smell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smell/) [Supervision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/supervision/) ## Related quotes > [Clean coal represents a breakthrough in the marketing of coal, but not in the science of burning coal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/van-jones/clean-coal-represents-a-breakthrough-in-the-marketing-of-coal-but-not/) [Van Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/van-jones/) > [The Eucharist is the bread that gives strength... 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And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-newton/is-not-fire-a-body-heated-so-hot-as-to-emit-light-copiously-for-what/) [Isaac Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-newton/) > [The virtuous soul that is alone and without a master is like a long lone burning coal; it will grow colder rather than hotter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-the-cross/the-virtuous-soul-that-is-alone-and-without-a-master-is-like-a-long/) [John of the Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-the-cross/) > [It's not as though we can keep burning coal in our power plants. Coal is a finite resource, too. We must find alternatives, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elon-musk/it-s-not-as-though-we-can-keep-burning-coal-in-our-power-plants-coal/) [Elon Musk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elon-musk/) > [Everyone knows that we're doing a science experiment with Earth. And the No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4 contributors to it are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-f-kennedy-jr/everyone-knows-that-we-re-doing-a-science-experiment-with-earth-and/) [Robert F. Kennedy, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-f-kennedy-jr/) > [Solving climate change is a complex topic, but in a single crude brush-stroke, here is the solution: the price of carbon dioxide must be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-j-c-mackay/solving-climate-change-is-a-complex-topic-but-in-a-single-crude-brush/) [David J. C. MacKay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-j-c-mackay/) > [O marvelous Sacrament! How can I find words to praise you! You are the life of the soul, the medicament healing our wounds, our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-of-granada/o-marvelous-sacrament-how-can-i-find-words-to-praise-you-you-are-the/) [Louis of Granada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-of-granada/) > [Everyone of them words rang true and glowed like burning coal, pouring off every page like it was written in my soul from me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/everyone-of-them-words-rang-true-and-glowed-like-burning-coal-pouring/) [Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/) > [But there are people who take salt with their coffee. They say it gives a tang, a savour, which is peculiar and fascinating. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/but-there-are-people-who-take-salt-with-their-coffee-they-say-it/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [I savour the idea of my new state: single and a millionaire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/i-savour-the-idea-of-my-new-state-single-and-a-millionaire/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [Although there may be nothing new under the sun, what is old is new to us and so rich and astonishing that we never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robertson-davies/although-there-may-be-nothing-new-under-the-sun-what-is-old-is-new-to/) [Robertson Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robertson-davies/) ## More by Gregory Palamas > [They either attach themselves to God's will, which results in their continuous progress, improvement and advancement, or they oppose God's will, are justly subjected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-palamas/they-either-attach-themselves-to-god-s-will-which-results-in-their/) [Gregory Palamas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-palamas/) > [The recovery of spiritual sight and the healing of physical blindness have much in common. Some of those whose bodily eyes were blind received…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-palamas/the-recovery-of-spiritual-sight-and-the-healing-of-physical-blindness/) [Gregory Palamas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-palamas/) > [The Lord came to send fire upon the earth (cf. Lk. 12:49), and through participation in this fire He makes divine not just the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-palamas/the-lord-came-to-send-fire-upon-the-earth-cf-lk-12-49-and-through/) [Gregory Palamas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-palamas/) > [...every day we should stand in awe of Him, as He is with us, and do what is pleasing before Him. If we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-palamas/every-day-we-should-stand-in-awe-of-him-as-he-is-with-us-and-do-what/) [Gregory Palamas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-palamas/) > [... whenever Christ, the Bridegroom of pure souls, is mystically united with each soul, He gives the Father occasion to rejoice over this as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-palamas/whenever-christ-the-bridegroom-of-pure-souls-is-mystically-united/) [Gregory Palamas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-palamas/) > [Even when your body does nothing, sin can be active in your mind. When your soul inwardly repulses the evil one's attack by means…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-palamas/even-when-your-body-does-nothing-sin-can-be-active-in-your-mind-when/) [Gregory Palamas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-palamas/) > [... we commemorate each of the saints with hymns and appropriate songs of praise, how much more should we celebrate the memory of Peter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-palamas/we-commemorate-each-of-the-saints-with-hymns-and-appropriate-songs-of/) [Gregory Palamas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-palamas/) > [...the grace of the Spirit takes possession of the quiet soul, and gives it a taste of the unspeakable good things to come, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-palamas/the-grace-of-the-spirit-takes-possession-of-the-quiet-soul-and-gives/) [Gregory Palamas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-palamas/) > [The Light of the Lord's Transfiguration does not come into being or cease to be, nor is it circumscribed or perceptible to the senses,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-palamas/the-light-of-the-lord-s-transfiguration-does-not-come-into-being-or/) [Gregory Palamas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-palamas/) > [When we become incorruptible and immortal, and attain to the blessed state of conformity with Christ, we will be ever with the Lord (as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-palamas/when-we-become-incorruptible-and-immortal-and-attain-to-the-blessed/) [Gregory Palamas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-palamas/) > [... the Lord's Cross discloses the entire dispensation of His Coming in the flesh, and contains within it the whole mystery of this dispensation.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-palamas/the-lord-s-cross-discloses-the-entire-dispensation-of-his-coming-in/) [Gregory Palamas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-palamas/) > [...angels... are always being filled full of light, becoming ever more radiant and making blessed use of their natural ability to change. They dance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-palamas/angels-are-always-being-filled-full-of-light-becoming-ever-more/) [Gregory Palamas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-palamas/) > [If, as we have said, we commemorate each of the saints with hymns and appropriate songs of praise, how much more should we celebrate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-palamas/if-as-we-have-said-we-commemorate-each-of-the-saints-with-hymns-and/) [Gregory Palamas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-palamas/) > [Let no one out of laziness or continuous worldly occupations miss these holy Sunday gatherings, which God Himself handed down to us, lest he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-palamas/let-no-one-out-of-laziness-or-continuous-worldly-occupations-miss/) [Gregory Palamas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-palamas/) > [...night possessed us and the shadow of death encompassed us, for we had fallen into sin and lost the power of sight which was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-palamas/night-possessed-us-and-the-shadow-of-death-encompassed-us-for-we-had/) [Gregory Palamas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-palamas/) [Explore all 56 Gregory Palamas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-palamas/) ## More Approach quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [I'm in a business where there's complete anarchy. You can't control it - you can only react to it. The control that people traditionally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-sorrell/i-m-in-a-business-where-there-s-complete-anarchy-you-can-t-control-it/) [Martin Sorrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-sorrell/) > [When you approach something to photograph it, first be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence. 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What has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-paul/like-a-morning-dream-life-becomes-more-and-more-bright-the-longer-we/) [Jean Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-paul/) > [What begins as a Utopian vision, always - always - ends in bloodshed. 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If your attention is occupied with what is holy, you make yourself worthy of being visited by God, since this is the sweet savour which God catches scent of. 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