Conception Quote by Henry Ward Beecher
“When a man has no longer any conception of excellence above his own, his voyage is done, he is dead,--dead in trespasses and sin of blear-eyed vanity.”
About This Quote
Source Sermon: The Duty of the Church, 1865
A man who stops aspiring beyond himself becomes spiritually dead, trapped in vanity and sin.
In simple terms: No higher aim leads to spiritual death.
Key Takeaway
Seek higher purpose beyond self.
Themes
spirituality
vanity
death
excellence
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- leadership
- ethical decision‑making
- overcoming ego
Key Concepts
self‑transcendence
humility
morality
Questions to Reflect On
- What higher ideal guides you?
- How do you guard against vanity?
A Different Perspective
Even with higher goals, complacency can persist.
![“Take sex, for instance.' 'What do you want me to do with it?' 'Try to be serious for a moment. Take the sex life of our father.' [...] Even after a couple of brandies he felt extremely reluctant to discuss sex and his father. 'It's something I'd rather not think about,' he said. 'We all come into…” quote by John Mortimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/280/john-mortimer-7362_conception_take-sex-for-instance-what-do-you-want-m_4946.jpg)
