--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Because the one who by excellency of…" description: "\"Because the one who by excellency of nature transcends all quantity and size and magnitude...has now...contracted himself into a quantity and size and ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db9/john-of-damascus-18351_chosen_because-the-one-who-by-excellency-of-nat_1523569.jpg" --- # Because the one who by excellency of nature transcends all… ![“Because the one who by excellency of nature transcends all quantity and size and magnitude...has now...contracted himself into a quantity and size and has acquired a physical identity, do not hesitate any longer to draw pictures and to set forth, for all to see, him who has chosen to let himself…” quote by John of Damascus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db9/john-of-damascus-18351_chosen_because-the-one-who-by-excellency-of-nat_1523569.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db9/john-of-damascus-18351_chosen_because-the-one-who-by-excellency-of-nat_1523569.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db9/john-of-damascus-18351_chosen_because-the-one-who-by-excellency-of-nat_1523569.jpg) > “Because the one who by excellency of nature transcends all quantity and size and magnitude...has now...contracted himself into a quantity and size and has acquired a physical identity, do not hesitate any longer to draw pictures and to set forth, for all to see, him who has chosen to let himself be seen.” [John of Damascus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-damascus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Transcending material limits, the soul chooses to manifest physically, inviting others to recognize its divine form. **In simple terms:** The soul can become visible and known. Key Takeaway Embrace and share your true nature. Themes spirituality identity manifestation Mood contemplative devotional Type theological inspirational When to use this quote - religious art - personal testimony - public speaking Key Concepts theology philosophy of self iconography Questions to Reflect On - What aspects of yourself do you hide? - How can you express your inner truth responsibly? A Different Perspective Risk of misinterpretation of symbolism. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) ## Related quotes > [We have taken a physical identity so that we may express our divine identity. And every moment in our life provides us with an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neale-donald-walsch/we-have-taken-a-physical-identity-so-that-we-may-express-our-divine/) [Neale Donald Walsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neale-donald-walsch/) > [Art is a unifying language for all of us from across the world, and it transcends boundaries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilaiyaraaja/art-is-a-unifying-language-for-all-of-us-from-across-the-world-and-it/) [Ilaiyaraaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilaiyaraaja/) > [Goodness transcends badness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-rowe/goodness-transcends-badness/) [Clive Rowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-rowe/) > [We've had hassles, ups and downs, ins and outs, failures and triumphs. We're human beings, and we're not perfect. And we're mortal. But the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-love/we-ve-had-hassles-ups-and-downs-ins-and-outs-failures-and-triumphs-we/) [Mike Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-love/) > [Whoever reaches his ideal transcends it eo ipso.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/whoever-reaches-his-ideal-transcends-it-eo-ipso/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [“LOVE TRANSCENDS LIFE! Sudipta Das”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sudipta-das/love-transcends-life-sudipta-das/) Sudipta Das > [Biology transcends society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessie-redmon-fauset/biology-transcends-society/) [Jessie Redmon Fauset](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessie-redmon-fauset/) > [Nowledge which... transcends the bounds, the prejudices and prejudgements of any one society and culture is not an illusion but, on the contrary, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-gellner/nowledge-which-transcends-the-bounds-the-prejudices-and-prejudgements/) [Ernest Gellner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-gellner/) > [“To a man devoid of blinders, there is no finer sight than that of the intelligence at grips with a reality that transcends it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/to-a-man-devoid-of-blinders-there-is-no-finer-sight-than-that-of-the/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [The primordial purity of the ground completely transcends words, concepts, and formulations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamgon-kongtrul/the-primordial-purity-of-the-ground-completely-transcends-words/) Jamgon Kongtrul > [In the next decade, I see Spanx going worldwide. Everywhere. No butt left behind. It's going to be all over the world and it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-blakely/in-the-next-decade-i-see-spanx-going-worldwide-everywhere-no-butt/) [Sara Blakely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-blakely/) > [“Pure awareness transcends thinking.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-williams/pure-awareness-transcends-thinking/) [Mark Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-williams/) > [The Clash, in particular, transcends any category.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-raab/the-clash-in-particular-transcends-any-category/) [Scott Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-raab/) > [Wherever technology reaches its real fulfillment, it transcends into architecture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe/wherever-technology-reaches-its-real-fulfillment-it-transcends-into/) [Ludwig Mies van der Rohe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe/) > [“If life transcends death, then I will seek for you there. If not, then there too.” He”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-s-a-corey/if-life-transcends-death-then-i-will-seek-for-you-there-if-not-then/) [James S.A. Corey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-s-a-corey/) ## More by John of Damascus > [Christ sits in the body at the right hand of God the Father, but we do not hold that the right hand of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-damascus/christ-sits-in-the-body-at-the-right-hand-of-god-the-father-but-we-do/) [John of Damascus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-damascus/) > [Gluttony should be destroyed by self-control; unchastity by desire for God and longing for the blessings held in store; avarice by compassion for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-damascus/gluttony-should-be-destroyed-by-self-control-unchastity-by-desire-for/) [John of Damascus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-damascus/) > [Think of the Father as a spring of life begetting the Son like a river and the Holy Ghost like a sea, for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-damascus/think-of-the-father-as-a-spring-of-life-begetting-the-son-like-a/) [John of Damascus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-damascus/) > [All who ask receive, those who seek find, and to those who knock it shall be opened. Therefore, let us knock at the beautiful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-damascus/all-who-ask-receive-those-who-seek-find-and-to-those-who-knock-it/) [John of Damascus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-damascus/) > [...we shall incur no slight injury, but rather great danger, if we rashly yield ourselves to the inclinations of men who aim at exciting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-damascus/we-shall-incur-no-slight-injury-but-rather-great-danger-if-we-rashly/) [John of Damascus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-damascus/) > [The whole earth is a living icon of the face of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-damascus/the-whole-earth-is-a-living-icon-of-the-face-of-god/) [John of Damascus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-damascus/) > [He who does not believe according to the tradition of the Catholic Church is an unbeliever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-damascus/he-who-does-not-believe-according-to-the-tradition-of-the-catholic/) [John of Damascus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-damascus/) > [The whole earth is a living icon of the face of God. ... I do not worship matter. I worship the Creator of matter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-damascus/the-whole-earth-is-a-living-icon-of-the-face-of-god-i-do-not-worship/) [John of Damascus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-damascus/) > [All we know if an angel is that it is incorporeal, immaterial, and only by comparing it with God-who is incomparable-can we see that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-damascus/all-we-know-if-an-angel-is-that-it-is-incorporeal-immaterial-and-only/) [John of Damascus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-damascus/) > [“But this is what leads the heretics astray: that they look upon nature and person as the same thing”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-damascus/but-this-is-what-leads-the-heretics-astray-that-they-look-upon-nature/) [John of Damascus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-damascus/) > [And all that is therein; Invisible and visible, Their notes let all things blend, For Christ the Lord is risen. Our joy that hath…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-damascus/and-all-that-is-therein-invisible-and-visible-their-notes-let-all/) [John of Damascus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-damascus/) > [I do not worship matter, I worship the God of matter, who became matter for my sake and deigned to inhabit matter, who worked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-damascus/i-do-not-worship-matter-i-worship-the-god-of-matter-who-became-matter/) [John of Damascus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-damascus/) > [If a pagan asks you to show him your faith, take him into church and place him before the icons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-damascus/if-a-pagan-asks-you-to-show-him-your-faith-take-him-into-church-and/) [John of Damascus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-damascus/) > [O Mother of God! If I place my confidence in thee, I shall be saved; if I am under thy protection, I have nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-damascus/o-mother-of-god-if-i-place-my-confidence-in-thee-i-shall-be-saved-if/) [John of Damascus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-damascus/) > [The day of the Nativity of the Mother of God is a day of universal joy, because through the Mother of God, the entire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-damascus/the-day-of-the-nativity-of-the-mother-of-god-is-a-day-of-universal/) [John of Damascus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-damascus/) [Explore all 35 John of Damascus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-damascus/) ## More Artist quotes > [One is a painter because one wants so-called freedom; one doesn't want to go to the office every morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-duchamp/one-is-a-painter-because-one-wants-so-called-freedom-one-doesn-t-want/) [Marcel Duchamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-duchamp/) > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [“People in coats and ties were milling around the Talley gallery, and on the wall were the minimally rendered still lifes by Giorgio Morandi,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/people-in-coats-and-ties-were-milling-around-the-talley-gallery-and/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [The prophet who fails to present a bearable alternative and yet preaches doom is part of the trap that he postulates. Not only does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/the-prophet-who-fails-to-present-a-bearable-alternative-and-yet/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) Taf Teh > [From as long as I can remember, I was always fond of drawing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-lucia/from-as-long-as-i-can-remember-i-was-always-fond-of-drawing/) [St. Lucia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-lucia/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) > [Designers shouldn’t design for museums any more than mummies should die for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-caplan/designers-shouldn-t-design-for-museums-any-more-than-mummies-should/) [Ralph Caplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-caplan/) > [I don't believe in competitions between artists. This is insane. Who has the authority to say someone is better?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-arkin/i-don-t-believe-in-competitions-between-artists-this-is-insane-who/) [Alan Arkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-arkin/) > [I am not the avant-garde. I am the artist who comes after the advancing guard. I am more concerned with continuity of ideas and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-oliveira/i-am-not-the-avant-garde-i-am-the-artist-who-comes-after-the/) [Nathan Oliveira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-oliveira/) > [I am a horrible visual artist. I can't fix a car, sew, knit, cook, etc. Statistically, there is more I don't do than do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-brownstein/i-am-a-horrible-visual-artist-i-can-t-fix-a-car-sew-knit-cook-etc/) [Carrie Brownstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-brownstein/) [Browse all 32,600 Artist quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Because the one who by excellency of nature transcends all quantity and size and magnitude...has now...contracted himself into a quantity and size and has acquired a physical identity, do not hesitate any longer to draw pictures and to set forth, for all to see, him who has chosen to let himself be seen.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John of Damascus" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-damascus/because-the-one-who-by-excellency-of-nature-transcends-all-quantity/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Artist" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-damascus/because-the-one-who-by-excellency-of-nature-transcends-all-quantity/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db9/john-of-damascus-18351_chosen_because-the-one-who-by-excellency-of-nat_1523569.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db9/john-of-damascus-18351_chosen_because-the-one-who-by-excellency-of-nat_1523569.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db9/john-of-damascus-18351_chosen_because-the-one-who-by-excellency-of-nat_1523569.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Because the one who by excellency of nature transcends all quantity and size and magnitude...has…” — John of Damascus", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John of Damascus", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-damascus/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Because the one who by excellency...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-damascus/because-the-one-who-by-excellency-of-nature-transcends-all-quantity/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-damascus/because-the-one-who-by-excellency-of-nature-transcends-all-quantity/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```