--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: God forgive me if I do wrong in following…" description: "\"God forgive me if I do wrong in following with ardor the strongest instincts of my nature.\" — Julia Ward Howe" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/087/julia-ward-howe-10103_ardor_god-forgive-me-if-i-do-wrong-in-followin_1337807.jpg" --- # God forgive me if I do wrong in following with ardor the… ![“God forgive me if I do wrong in following with ardor the strongest instincts of my nature.” quote by Julia Ward Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/087/julia-ward-howe-10103_ardor_god-forgive-me-if-i-do-wrong-in-followin_1337807.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/087/julia-ward-howe-10103_ardor_god-forgive-me-if-i-do-wrong-in-followin_1337807.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/087/julia-ward-howe-10103_ardor_god-forgive-me-if-i-do-wrong-in-followin_1337807.jpg) > “God forgive me if I do wrong in following with ardor the strongest instincts of my nature.” [Julia Ward Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-ward-howe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A plea for forgiveness while passionately pursuing innate drives, acknowledging moral conflict. **In simple terms:** Seek forgiveness while following your heart. Key Takeaway Balance passion with conscience. Themes faith morality instinct conflict Mood thoughtful serene Type spiritual philosophical When to use this quote - religious confession - self‑reflection - creative writing - decision making Key Concepts spiritual introspection ethical dilemma personal growth Questions to Reflect On - Can one be righteous while following strong instincts? - What guides moral choices? A Different Perspective Passion can clash with ethical standards. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ardor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ardor/) [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) [Instincts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instincts/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) ## Related quotes > [I shouldn't have done that," I said. That was when I kissed him again. May God forgive me for this and all these things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-zevin/i-shouldn-t-have-done-that-i-said-that-was-when-i-kissed-him-again/) [Gabrielle Zevin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-zevin/) > [I would live in a world of Christ-like humans, but not one full of Christians, may God forgive me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-horsley/i-would-live-in-a-world-of-christ-like-humans-but-not-one-full-of/) [Kate Horsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-horsley/) > [The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/the-christian-life-is-not-a-constant-high-i-have-my-moments-of-deep/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [Of course God will forgive me; that's His job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinrich-heine/of-course-god-will-forgive-me-that-s-his-job/) [Heinrich Heine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinrich-heine/) > [To Harald, may God forgive you and forgive me, too, but I prefer to take my life away and our baby's before I bring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lupe-velez/to-harald-may-god-forgive-you-and-forgive-me-too-but-i-prefer-to-take/) Lupe Velez > [God will forgive me. It's his job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinrich-heine/god-will-forgive-me-it-s-his-job/) [Heinrich Heine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinrich-heine/) > [And when you had made sure of the poor little fool," said my aunt - "God forgive me that I should call her so,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/and-when-you-had-made-sure-of-the-poor-little-fool-said-my-aunt-god/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [God forgive me everything!’ she said, feeling the impossibility of struggling...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/god-forgive-me-everything-she-said-feeling-the-impossibility-of/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [God forgive me for having thought it possible that a schoolmaster could be out and out a rational being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/god-forgive-me-for-having-thought-it-possible-that-a-schoolmaster/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [God will forgive me; that's his business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinrich-heine/god-will-forgive-me-that-s-his-business/) [Heinrich Heine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinrich-heine/) > [I find that when I think I am asking God to forgive me I am often in reality. . . asking Him not to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/i-find-that-when-i-think-i-am-asking-god-to-forgive-me-i-am-often-in/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [God will forgive me. It's his job." Heine said this on his deathbed (1856). Hilarious. He must have thought that up years before and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinrich-heine/god-will-forgive-me-it-s-his-job-heine-said-this-on-his-deathbed-1856/) [Heinrich Heine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinrich-heine/) > [Street photography is art and if art is a crime, please God, forgive me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-leuthard/street-photography-is-art-and-if-art-is-a-crime-please-god-forgive-me/) [Thomas Leuthard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-leuthard/) > [Since I only got one life to ive, God forgive me for my sins, let me make it and i'll never steal again, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tupac-shakur/since-i-only-got-one-life-to-ive-god-forgive-me-for-my-sins-let-me/) [Tupac Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tupac-shakur/) > [I pray to you God to forgive me from all my sins, to allow me to glorify you in every possible way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohamed-atta/i-pray-to-you-god-to-forgive-me-from-all-my-sins-to-allow-me-to/) [Mohamed Atta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohamed-atta/) ## More by Julia Ward Howe > [We, women of one country, Will be too tender of those of another country To allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-ward-howe/we-women-of-one-country-will-be-too-tender-of-those-of-another/) [Julia Ward Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-ward-howe/) > [Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord -](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-ward-howe/mine-eyes-have-seen-the-glory-of-the-coming-of-the-lord/) [Julia Ward Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-ward-howe/) > [It is not good for beauty that it should be a profession.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-ward-howe/it-is-not-good-for-beauty-that-it-should-be-a-profession/) [Julia Ward Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-ward-howe/) > [All the sugar was in the bottom of the cup.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-ward-howe/all-the-sugar-was-in-the-bottom-of-the-cup/) [Julia Ward Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-ward-howe/) > [How utterly are one's best thoughts invaded by this going out in society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-ward-howe/how-utterly-are-one-s-best-thoughts-invaded-by-this-going-out-in/) [Julia Ward Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-ward-howe/) > [Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord: / He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-ward-howe/mine-eyes-have-seen-the-glory-of-the-coming-of-the-lord-he-is/) [Julia Ward Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-ward-howe/) > [Every newly discovered truth judges the world, separates the good from the evil, and calls on faithful souls to make sure of their election.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-ward-howe/every-newly-discovered-truth-judges-the-world-separates-the-good-from/) [Julia Ward Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-ward-howe/) > [Every fallen woman represents a man as guilty as herself, who escapes human detection, but whose soul lies open before God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-ward-howe/every-fallen-woman-represents-a-man-as-guilty-as-herself-who-escapes/) [Julia Ward Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-ward-howe/) > [While your life is the true expression of your faith, whom can you fear?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-ward-howe/while-your-life-is-the-true-expression-of-your-faith-whom-can-you-fear/) [Julia Ward Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-ward-howe/) > [The blind must not only be fed and housed and cared for; they must learn to make thir lives useful to the community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-ward-howe/the-blind-must-not-only-be-fed-and-housed-and-cared-for-they-must/) [Julia Ward Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-ward-howe/) > [I have never known my husband to approve any act of mine which I myself valued.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-ward-howe/i-have-never-known-my-husband-to-approve-any-act-of-mine-which-i/) [Julia Ward Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-ward-howe/) > [ “\[The ideal aim of life is\] to learn, to teach, to serve, to enjoy!” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-ward-howe/the-ideal-aim-of-life-is-to-learn-to-teach-to-serve-to-enjoy/) [Julia Ward Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-ward-howe/) > [Every life has its actual blanks, which the ideal must fill up, or which else remain bare & profitless forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-ward-howe/every-life-has-its-actual-blanks-which-the-ideal-must-fill-up-or/) [Julia Ward Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-ward-howe/) > [I take refuge in my books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-ward-howe/i-take-refuge-in-my-books/) [Julia Ward Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-ward-howe/) > [The language of the face is not taught by the schools; it is intuitive, and to the observant is always legible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-ward-howe/the-language-of-the-face-is-not-taught-by-the-schools-it-is-intuitive/) [Julia Ward Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-ward-howe/) [Explore all 68 Julia Ward Howe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-ward-howe/) ## More Ardor quotes > [“But where do we find what's lasting? Where do the deathless things hide?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-zagajewski/but-where-do-we-find-what-s-lasting-where-do-the-deathless-things-hide/) [Adam Zagajewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-zagajewski/) > [I believe verbal felicity is the fruit of ardor, of diligence, and of refusing to be false.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-moore/i-believe-verbal-felicity-is-the-fruit-of-ardor-of-diligence-and-of/) [Marianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-moore/) > [Without wishing to damp the ardor of curiosity or influence the freedom of inquiry, I will hazard a prediction that, after the most industrious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/without-wishing-to-damp-the-ardor-of-curiosity-or-influence-the/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [“She could have rambled with all the fervor of a woman who had loved one entity for longer than most races live, and with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darrell-drake/she-could-have-rambled-with-all-the-fervor-of-a-woman-who-had-loved/) [Darrell Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darrell-drake/) > [There was a new kind of strength in the gravity of her face, and her colors still gave her that look of deep-seated health…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willa-cather/there-was-a-new-kind-of-strength-in-the-gravity-of-her-face-and-her/) [Willa Cather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-cather/) > [In work consists the true pride of life; grounded in active employment, though early ardor may abate, it never degenerates into indifference, and age…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leopold-hartley-grindon/in-work-consists-the-true-pride-of-life-grounded-in-active-employment/) Leopold Hartley Grindon > [Always man needs woman for his friend. He needs her clearer vision, her subtler insight, her softer thought, her winged soul, her pure and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-c-ames/always-man-needs-woman-for-his-friend-he-needs-her-clearer-vision-her/) [Mary C. Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-c-ames/) > [Before Midnight is one of the years best movies. Full to the brim with humor, heartbreak, and ravishing romance. Richard Linklater directs with ardor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-travers/before-midnight-is-one-of-the-years-best-movies-full-to-the-brim-with/) [Peter Travers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-travers/) > [As each man's strength gives out, as it no longer responds to his will, the inertia of the whole gradually comes to rest on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/as-each-man-s-strength-gives-out-as-it-no-longer-responds-to-his-will/) [Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/) > [In proportion as the ardor of divine love brings you nearer to God, so will a larger concourse of saintly brethren flock to you.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cassian/in-proportion-as-the-ardor-of-divine-love-brings-you-nearer-to-god-so/) [John Cassian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cassian/) > [Obsessions of the Orient, of the desert, of its ardor and its emptiness, of the shadows of palm gardens, of the garments white and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-gide/obsessions-of-the-orient-of-the-desert-of-its-ardor-and-its-emptiness/) [Andre Gide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-gide/) > [Life is short, so fall in love, dear maiden, before your youthful ardor cools off, for there is no tomorrow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/atsushi/life-is-short-so-fall-in-love-dear-maiden-before-your-youthful-ardor/) [Atsushi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/atsushi/) > [I remind you that I belong with great ardor to everyone and for this reason I am suffering immensely for all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pio-of-pietrelcina/i-remind-you-that-i-belong-with-great-ardor-to-everyone-and-for-this/) [Pio of Pietrelcina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pio-of-pietrelcina/) > [He who wishes to fight must first count the cost. When you engage in actual fighting, if victory is long in coming, then men's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/he-who-wishes-to-fight-must-first-count-the-cost-when-you-engage-in/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [“Fogoso gozo fogo.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/filipe-russo/fogoso-gozo-fogo/) [Filipe Russo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/filipe-russo/) [Browse all 74 Ardor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ardor/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "God forgive me if I do wrong in following with ardor the strongest instincts of my nature.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Julia Ward Howe" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-ward-howe/god-forgive-me-if-i-do-wrong-in-following-with-ardor-the-strongest/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ardor" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-ward-howe/god-forgive-me-if-i-do-wrong-in-following-with-ardor-the-strongest/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/087/julia-ward-howe-10103_ardor_god-forgive-me-if-i-do-wrong-in-followin_1337807.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/087/julia-ward-howe-10103_ardor_god-forgive-me-if-i-do-wrong-in-followin_1337807.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/087/julia-ward-howe-10103_ardor_god-forgive-me-if-i-do-wrong-in-followin_1337807.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“God forgive me if I do wrong in following with ardor the strongest instincts of my nature.” — Julia Ward Howe", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Julia Ward Howe", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-ward-howe/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "God forgive me if I do...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-ward-howe/god-forgive-me-if-i-do-wrong-in-following-with-ardor-the-strongest/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-ward-howe/god-forgive-me-if-i-do-wrong-in-following-with-ardor-the-strongest/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```