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Birth Quote by John Calvin

“Without knowledge of self there is no knowledge of God Our wisdom, in so far as it ought to be deemed true and solid Wisdom, consists almost entirely of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves. But as these are connected together by many ties, it is not easy to determine which of the two…” quote by John Calvin
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“Without knowledge of self there is no knowledge of God Our wisdom, in so far as it ought to be deemed true and solid Wisdom, consists almost entirely of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves. But as these are connected together by many ties, it is not easy to determine which of the two precedes and gives birth to the other.”

John Calvin

About This Quote

Source Treat: Institutes of the Christian Religion, 1536

Self‑knowledge and knowledge of the divine are intertwined; understanding one helps grasp the other, but determining which comes first is difficult.

In simple terms: Knowing yourself and God are linked, but the order is unclear.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate both self‑reflection and spiritual study.

Themes

theology philosophy self‑awareness

Mood

reflective serious

Type

doctrinal philosophical

When to use this quote

  • personal growth
  • religious practice
  • ethical decision‑making
  • academic study

Key Concepts

dualism interdependence epistemology

Questions to Reflect On

  • Which insight guides your life more?
  • How can you integrate both pursuits?
A Different Perspective

Balancing self‑exploration with divine inquiry can be overwhelming.

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