--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Thou mayest rule over sin, Lee. That’s…" description: "\"“Thou mayest rule over sin, Lee. That’s it. I do not believe all men are destroyed. I can name you a dozen who were not, and they are the ones the worl..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb7/john-steinbeck-71_quote_thou-mayest-rule-over-sin-lee-that-s-it_234817.jpg" --- # Thou mayest rule over sin, Lee. That’s it. I do not… ![“Thou mayest rule over sin, Lee. That’s it. I do not believe all men are destroyed. I can name you a dozen who were not, and they are the ones the world lives by. It is true of the spirit as it is true of battles--only the winners are remembered. Surely most men are destroyed, but there are others…” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb7/john-steinbeck-71_quote_thou-mayest-rule-over-sin-lee-that-s-it_234817.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb7/john-steinbeck-71_quote_thou-mayest-rule-over-sin-lee-that-s-it_234817.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb7/john-steinbeck-71_quote_thou-mayest-rule-over-sin-lee-that-s-it_234817.jpg) > ““Thou mayest rule over sin, Lee. That’s it. I do not believe all men are destroyed. I can name you a dozen who were not, and they are the ones the world lives by. It is true of the spirit as it is true of battles--only the winners are remembered. Surely most men are destroyed, but there are others who like pillars of fire guide frightened men through the darkest. ’Thou mayest, thou mayest!’ What glory! It is true that we are weak and sick and quarrelsome, but if that is all we ever were, we would, millenniums ago, have disappeared from the face of the earth. A few remnants of fossilized jawbone, some broken teeth in strata of limestone, would be the only mark man would have left of his existence in the world. But the choice, Lee, the choice of winning!”” [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. Even in a world of widespread failure, a few resilient individuals shape history and inspire others. **In simple terms:** A few strong people make a big difference. Key Takeaway Recognize and support the resilient among us. Themes resilience leadership legacy human spirit history influence Mood reflective determined hopeful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - war - social upheaval - personal struggle - leadership challenges - historical analysis Key Concepts existentialism heroism survival collective memory Questions to Reflect On - Who are the unsung heroes in your life? - How can we foster resilience in communities? A Different Perspective Not everyone can be a hero; many remain unnoticed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [Thou mayest rule over sin,’ Lee. That’s it. I do not believe all men are destroyed. I can name you a dozen who were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/thou-mayest-rule-over-sin-lee-that-s-it-i-do-not-believe-all-men-are-2/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“Thou mayest rule over sin,’ Lee. That’s it. I do not believe all men are destroyed. I can name you a dozen who were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/thou-mayest-rule-over-sin-lee-that-s-it-i-do-not-believe-all-men-are-4/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [Thou mayest rule over sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/thou-mayest-rule-over-sin/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [Thou mayest rule over sin,' Lee. That's it. I do not believe all men are destroyed. I can name you a dozen who were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/thou-mayest-rule-over-sin-lee-that-s-it-i-do-not-believe-all-men-are-3/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“Regarding "thou mayest": And this I believe: that the free, exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/regarding-thou-mayest-and-this-i-believe-that-the-free-exploring-mind/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“I have a new love for that glittering instrument, the human soul. It is a lovely and unique thing in the universe. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-have-a-new-love-for-that-glittering-instrument-the-human-soul-it-is/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/but-the-hebrew-word-the-word-timshel-thou-mayest-that-gives-a-choice/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [Thou art beaten that thou mayest be better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bunyan/thou-art-beaten-that-thou-mayest-be-better/) [John Bunyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bunyan/) > [“…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 > [The Word of God became man, that thou mayest learn from man how man may become God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clement-of-alexandria/the-word-of-god-became-man-that-thou-mayest-learn-from-man-how-man/) [Clement of Alexandria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clement-of-alexandria/) > [“Now, there are many millions in their sects and churches who feel the order, 'Do thou,' and throw their weight into obedience. And there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/now-there-are-many-millions-in-their-sects-and-churches-who-feel-the/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“Ah!' said Lee. 'I’ve wanted to tell you this for a long time. I even anticipated your questions and I am well prepared. Any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/ah-said-lee-i-ve-wanted-to-tell-you-this-for-a-long-time-i-even/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [The Hebrew word, the word timshel - 'Thou mayest' - that gives a choice. It might be the most important word in the world.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/the-hebrew-word-the-word-timshel-thou-mayest-that-gives-a-choice-it/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [But 'Thou mayest!'! Why, that makes a man great, that gives him stature with the gods, for in his weakness and his filth and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/but-thou-mayest-why-that-makes-a-man-great-that-gives-him-stature/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [If God and his grace do not rule us, sin and Satan will have possession of us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-henry/if-god-and-his-grace-do-not-rule-us-sin-and-satan-will-have/) [Matthew Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-henry/) ## More by John Steinbeck > [ Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three \[great teachers\] did not… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-the-arts-since-the-medium-is/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [Prayer never brought in no side-meat. Takes a shoat to bring in pork.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/prayer-never-brought-in-no-side-meat-takes-a-shoat-to-bring-in-pork/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“And now submarines are armed with mass murder, our silly, only way of deterring mass murder.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/and-now-submarines-are-armed-with-mass-murder-our-silly-only-way-of/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“I’d think there are degrees of greatness,” Adam said. “I don’t think so,” said Samuel. “That would be like saying there is a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-d-think-there-are-degrees-of-greatness-adam-said-i-don-t-think-so/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“He was forever inventing a new way of doing an old thing and doing it better and quicker, but he never in his whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/he-was-forever-inventing-a-new-way-of-doing-an-old-thing-and-doing-it/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“You come back a changed man. Samuel, you don’t change him. He changes you. I can see the look of him in your face.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/you-come-back-a-changed-man-samuel-you-don-t-change-him-he-changes/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [I find out of long experience that I admire all nations and hate all governments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-find-out-of-long-experience-that-i-admire-all-nations-and-hate-all/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [At about 10 o'clock in the morning the sun threw a bright dust-laden bar through one of the side windows and in and out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/at-about-10-o-clock-in-the-morning-the-sun-threw-a-bright-dust-laden/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [I have noticed that there is no dissatisfaction like that of the rich. Feed a man, clothe him, put him in a good house,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-have-noticed-that-there-is-no-dissatisfaction-like-that-of-the-rich/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“Who in his mind has not probe the dark water?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/who-in-his-mind-has-not-probe-the-dark-water/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [Sometimes, a lie is told in kindness. I don't believe it ever works kindly. The quick pain of truth can pass away, but the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/sometimes-a-lie-is-told-in-kindness-i-don-t-believe-it-ever-works/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [People like you to be something, preferably what they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/people-like-you-to-be-something-preferably-what-they-are/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“Suddenly he knew joy and sorrow felted into one fabric. Courage and fear were one thing too. He found that he had started to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/suddenly-he-knew-joy-and-sorrow-felted-into-one-fabric-courage-and/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [I am writing this from what we Americans call Yurrp. In Yurrp writers are taken as seriously as Lana Turner's legs are in America…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-am-writing-this-from-what-we-americans-call-yurrp-in-yurrp-writers/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [I write because I like to write. I find joy in the texture and tone and rhythm of words. It is a satisfaction like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-write-because-i-like-to-write-i-find-joy-in-the-texture-and-tone/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) [Explore all 1,589 John Steinbeck quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) ## More Thou quotes > [When man of slender visits you / Nothing on earth that one can do / In well he’ll hide, or watery hole / And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-goldstein/when-man-of-slender-visits-you-nothing-on-earth-that-one-can-do-in/) [Jack Goldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-goldstein/) > [O thou that pinest in the imprisonment of the Actual, and criest bitterly to the gods for a kingdom wherein to rule and create,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-carlyle/o-thou-that-pinest-in-the-imprisonment-of-the-actual-and-criest/) [Thomas Carlyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-carlyle/) > [Sum up at night what thou hast done by day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/sum-up-at-night-what-thou-hast-done-by-day/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [“Thou hast no figures nor no fantasies Which busy care draws in the brains of men; Therefore thou sleep’st so sound. Julius Caesar (2.1.248-251)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/thou-hast-no-figures-nor-no-fantasies-which-busy-care-draws-in-the/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Is man no more than this? Consider him well. Thou ow'st the worm no silk, the beast no hide, the sheep no wool, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/is-man-no-more-than-this-consider-him-well-thou-ow-st-the-worm-no/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Thou shouldst not decide until thou hast heard what both have to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristophanes/thou-shouldst-not-decide-until-thou-hast-heard-what-both-have-to-say/) [Aristophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristophanes/) > [Why has no religion this command before all others: Thou shalt work?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/berthold-auerbach/why-has-no-religion-this-command-before-all-others-thou-shalt-work/) [Berthold Auerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/berthold-auerbach/) > [Be substantially great in thyself, and more than thou appearest unto others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-browne/be-substantially-great-in-thyself-and-more-than-thou-appearest-unto/) [Thomas Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-browne/) > [“Didst thou give me this inescapable loneliness so that it would be easier for me to give thee all?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dag-hammarskj-ld/didst-thou-give-me-this-inescapable-loneliness-so-that-it-would-be/) [Dag Hammarskjöld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dag-hammarskj-ld/) > [Why dost thou shrink from my approach, O Man? Why dost thou ever flee in fear, and cling To my false rival, Life? I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-wheeler-wilcox/why-dost-thou-shrink-from-my-approach-o-man-why-dost-thou-ever-flee/) [Ella Wheeler Wilcox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-wheeler-wilcox/) > [Do not that to another, which thou wouldst not have done to thyself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hobbes/do-not-that-to-another-which-thou-wouldst-not-have-done-to-thyself/) [Thomas Hobbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hobbes/) > [If thou wouldn't conquer thy weakness thou must not gratify it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/if-thou-wouldn-t-conquer-thy-weakness-thou-must-not-gratify-it/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [Yes, thou art ever present, power divine; not circumscribed by time, nor fixed by space, confined to altars, nor to temples bound. In wealth,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-more/yes-thou-art-ever-present-power-divine-not-circumscribed-by-time-nor/) [Hannah More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-more/) > [God says to man: 'Be thou thyself, and I shall be thine.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-of-cusa/god-says-to-man-be-thou-thyself-and-i-shall-be-thine/) [Nicholas of Cusa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-of-cusa/) > [Thou shalt not steal. I mean defensively. On offense, indeed thou shall steal and thou must.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-rickey/thou-shalt-not-steal-i-mean-defensively-on-offense-indeed-thou-shall/) [Branch Rickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-rickey/) Browse all 709 Thou quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Thou mayest rule over sin, Lee. That’s it. I do not believe all men are destroyed. I can name you a dozen who were not, and they are the ones the world lives by. It is true of the spirit as it is true of battles--only the winners are remembered. Surely most men are destroyed, but there are others who like pillars of fire guide frightened men through the darkest. ’Thou mayest, thou mayest!’ What glory! It is true that we are weak and sick and quarrelsome, but if that is all we ever were, we would, millenniums ago, have disappeared from the face of the earth. A few remnants of fossilized jawbone, some broken teeth in strata of limestone, would be the only mark man would have left of his existence in the world. 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