Boys Quote by John Cassian
![“[God] arranged that the boy Samuel should be chosen but instead of teaching him directly He had him, turn once or twice to an old man. This youngster, to whom He had granted a direct encounter with Himself, had nevertheless to go for instruction to someone who had offended God, and all because…” quote by John Cassian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1cd/john-cassian-13822_boys_god-arranged-that-the-boy-samuel-should_1767780.jpg)
“[God] arranged that the boy Samuel should be chosen but instead of teaching him directly He had him, turn once or twice to an old man. This youngster, to whom He had granted a direct encounter with Himself, had nevertheless to go for instruction to someone who had offended God, and all because that person was an old man. He decided that Samuel was most worthy of a high calling and yet He made him submit to the guidance of an old man so that once summoned to a divine ministry he might learn humility and might himself become for all the young a model of deference.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Conferences of John Cassian, 5th century
God used an older, flawed mentor to teach the young Samuel humility before his divine calling.
In simple terms: Humility is taught through service to elders, even imperfect ones.
Key Takeaway
Seek humility by learning from those older than you.
Themes
humility
mentorship
spiritual growth
Mood
reflective
serene
Type
spiritual
inspirational
When to use this quote
- religious education
- personal development
- leadership training
Key Concepts
theology
character formation
humility
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you honor wisdom while recognizing a mentor’s imperfections?
- What role does humility play in your own growth?
A Different Perspective
Humility may be undermined if the mentor’s flaws dominate the lesson.
![“Therefore have the Jews departed from God, in not receiving His Word, but imagining that they could know the Father [apart] by Himself, without the Word, that is, without the Son; they being ignorant of that God who spake in human shape to Abraham, and again to Moses, saying, “I have surely seen…” quote by The Church Fathers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f4b/the-church-fathers-1438_abraham_therefore-have-the-jews-departed-from-go_2351634.jpg)
![“...the souls of the dead [are] not deprived of their intellectual faculties but... they also are not lacking in feelings such as hope and sadness, joy and fear. They already have a foretaste of what is in store for them after the general judgment. Nor does it happen, as some unbelievers would…” quote by John Cassian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b0e/john-cassian-13822_christian_the-souls-of-the-dead-are-not-deprived-o_361463.jpg)
