Faith Quote by John Steinbeck
““It is argued that because they believed thoroughly in a just, moral God they could put there faith there and let the smaller insecurities take care of themselves. But I think that because they trusted themselves and respected themselves as individuals, because they knew beyond doubt that they were valuable and potential moral units- because of this they could give God their own courage and dignity and then receive it back. Such things have disappeared perhaps because men do not trust themselves anymore, and when that happens there is nothing left except perhaps to find some strong sure man, even though he may be wrong, and to dangle from his coat-tails.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, 1939
The quote suggests that personal confidence and self‑respect empower individuals to claim courage and dignity from a higher source, whereas loss of self‑trust leads people to cling to dubious authority figures.
In simple terms: Self‑trust lets you draw strength from within; without it you seek false leaders.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate self‑respect to find inner courage.
Themes
self‑trust
authority
individuality
spirituality
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- leadership
- spiritual practice
- community building
- overcoming dependency
Key Concepts
existentialism
humanism
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you rely on yourself or others for confidence?
- How can you rebuild self‑respect after disappointment?
A Different Perspective
If self‑trust is weak, external guidance can still be constructive; not all authority is harmful.
![“Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three [great teachers] did not tell - they catalyzed a burning desire to know. Under their influence, the horizons sprung wide and fear went away and the unknown became knowable. But most important of…” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/84c/john-steinbeck-71_art_teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-t_1738.jpg)
