Integrity Quote by John Owen
““A man may beat down the bitter fruit from an evil tree until he is weary; while the root abides in strength and vigour, the beating down of the present fruit will not hinder it from bringing forth more. This is the folly of some men; they set themselves with all earnestness and diligence against the appearing eruption of lust, but, leaving the principle and root untouched, perhaps unsearched out, they make but little or no progress in this work of mortification.””
About This Quote
Source Treat: The Works of John Owen, 1650s
Focusing on superficial sins without addressing underlying causes yields little lasting change.
In simple terms: Treating symptoms, not roots, fails to transform.
Key Takeaway
Address underlying principles, not just symptoms.
Themes
spirituality
self-discipline
growth
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
theological
didactic
When to use this quote
- personal repentance
- spiritual counseling
- habit change
- moral education
Key Concepts
mortification
root cause analysis
spiritual warfare
Questions to Reflect On
- What root causes are you ignoring?
- How can you address underlying principles?
A Different Perspective
Neglecting deep transformation can lead to repeated failures.
