Books Quote by John Calvin
“The first part of a good work is the will, the second is vigorous effort in the doing of it. God is the author of both. It is, therefore, robbery from God to arrogate anything to ourselves, either in the will or the act.”
About This Quote
Source Treat: Institutes of the Christian Religion, 1536
Human effort is driven by divine will; claiming credit for either the intention or the action is theft from God.
In simple terms: Effort comes from God's will; claiming credit is theft.
Key Takeaway
Recognize divine source of motivation.
Themes
theology
ethics
human nature
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal goals
- leadership
- creative projects
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
Divine providence
free will
humility
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance divine guidance with personal initiative?
- What does humility look like in your work?
A Different Perspective
Human effort also involves personal responsibility beyond divine will.
