Draws Quote by John Owen
“Temptations and occasions put nothing into a man, but only draw out what was in him before.”
About This Quote
Source Sermon: The Nature of Temptation, 1665
External events do not create desire; they merely reveal pre‑existing inclinations.
In simple terms: Temptations expose what we already have inside.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate inner virtue to resist external triggers.
Themes
spirituality
temptation
self‑knowledge
Mood
contemplative
solemn
Type
theological
moral
When to use this quote
- daily life
- moral testing
- spiritual discipline
Key Concepts
Puritanism
psychology of desire
Questions to Reflect On
- What inner qualities are revealed in temptation?
- Can external change alter inner desire?
A Different Perspective
Assuming external causes alone can change behavior is simplistic.
