Affection Quote by John Owen
“In this would I live; in this would I die; upon this would I dwell in my thoughts and affections, to the withering and consumption of all the painted beauties of this world, to the crucifying all things here below, until they become to me a dead and deformed thing, no way suitable for affectionate embraces.”
About This Quote
Source Sermon: The Death of the World, John Owen, 1655
The speaker describes a life consumed by obsessive thoughts, leading to the decay of worldly beauty and emotional numbness, ultimately rendering everything dead and unlovable.
In simple terms: Obsessive thoughts destroy appreciation of beauty and love.
Key Takeaway
Guard against allowing thoughts to dominate and corrupt perception.
Themes
spirituality
psychology
mortality
beauty
detachment
Mood
melancholic
reflective
somber
Type
philosophical
spiritual
literary
When to use this quote
- personal meditation
- creative writing
- mental health counseling
- philosophical discourse
Key Concepts
nihilism
existential dread
spiritual decay
Questions to Reflect On
- How can one balance deep reflection with appreciation of life?
- What practices prevent thoughts from becoming corrosive?
A Different Perspective
Such intensity can also stifle joy and connection, not just reveal truth.
![“If I do manage to come up with a scheme [to naming], however, I stick to it, which is why my cats are named after gods-Loki and Athena, who are, respectively, absolutely straightforward and affectionate, and dumber than dirt. I learned my lesson. I will name my next cat 'Satan' or 'Marduk' or…” quote by Ursula Vernon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/85d/ursula-vernon-21101_affectionate_if-i-do-manage-to-come-up-with-a-scheme_100482.jpg)
