Affliction Quote by John Calvin
“Tears that are shed in time of affliction are rarely tears of penitence, but more likely they are shed out of self pity and pain or sorrow.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: Institutes of the Christian Religion, 1559
In suffering, tears often stem from self‑pity and sorrow rather than genuine remorse.
In simple terms: Suffering tears are usually self‑pity, not repentance.
Key Takeaway
Recognize true remorse versus self‑pity.
Themes
religion
human nature
emotions
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal loss
- grief counseling
- spiritual reflection
Key Concepts
theology
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What emotions drive your tears?
- How can you turn sorrow into constructive action?
A Different Perspective
Suffering may also inspire growth, not just pain.
![“May I strike my heart's keys clearly, and may none fail because of slack, uncertain, or fraying strings. May the tears that stream down my face make me more radiant: may my hidden weeping bloom… How we waste our afflictions!... [T]hey're really our wintering foliage, our dark greens of meaning…” quote by Rainer Maria Rilke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7c7/rainer-maria-rilke-193_abode_may-i-strike-my-heart-s-keys-clearly-and_52479.jpg)
