--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Lee’s hand shook as he filled the…" description: "\"“Lee’s hand shook as he filled the delicate cups. He drank his down in one gulp. “Don’t you see?” he cried. “The American Standard translation orders m..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7dd/john-steinbeck-71_inspiration_lee-s-hand-shook-as-he-filled-the-delica_2981182.jpg" --- # Lee’s hand shook as he filled the delicate cups. He drank… ![“Lee’s hand shook as he filled the delicate cups. He drank his down in one gulp. “Don’t you see?” he cried. “The American Standard translation orders men to triumph over sin, and you can call sin ignorance. The King James translation makes a promise in ‘Thou shalt,’ meaning that men will surely…” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7dd/john-steinbeck-71_inspiration_lee-s-hand-shook-as-he-filled-the-delica_2981182.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7dd/john-steinbeck-71_inspiration_lee-s-hand-shook-as-he-filled-the-delica_2981182.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7dd/john-steinbeck-71_inspiration_lee-s-hand-shook-as-he-filled-the-delica_2981182.jpg) > ““Lee’s hand shook as he filled the delicate cups. He drank his down in one gulp. “Don’t you see?” he cried. “The American Standard translation orders men to triumph over sin, and you can call sin ignorance. The King James translation makes a promise in ‘Thou shalt,’ meaning that men will surely triumph over sin. But the Hebrew word, the word timshel—‘Thou mayest’— that gives a choice. It might be the most important word in the world. That says the way is open. That throws it right back on a man. For if ‘Thou mayest’—it is also true that ‘Thou mayest not.’ Don’t you see?”” [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The Hebrew word “timshel” introduces free will, allowing humans to choose between good and evil, unlike deterministic translations. **In simple terms:** Choice defines moral responsibility. Key Takeaway Embrace personal agency. Themes free will morality choice responsibility Mood thoughtful philosophical Type literary inspirational When to use this quote - ethical dilemmas - personal development - spiritual reflection Key Concepts existentialism theology human agency Questions to Reflect On - What choices define your life? - How does recognizing free will affect your actions? A Different Perspective Deterministic views can still dominate discourse. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Inspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration/) [Promise Thou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/promise-thou-940175/) [Thou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thou/) [Thou Mayest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thou-mayest-667149/) [Thou Shalt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thou-shalt/) [True Thou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-thou-2547987/) [Truth of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth-of-life/) ## Related quotes > [“…this was the gold from our mining: 'Thou mayest.' The American Standard translation orders men to triumph over sin (and you can call sin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-a-lee/this-was-the-gold-from-our-mining-thou-mayest-the-american-standard/) [Jo A. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-a-lee/) > [“Ah!' said Lee. 'I’ve wanted to tell you this for a long time. 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He drank his down in one gulp. “Don’t you see?” he cried. “The American Standard translation orders men to triumph over sin, and you can call sin ignorance. The King James translation makes a promise in ‘Thou shalt,’ meaning that men will surely triumph over sin. But the Hebrew word, the word timshel—‘Thou mayest’— that gives a choice. It might be the most important word in the world. That says the way is open. That throws it right back on a man. 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