Character Quote by Kathryn Tanner
““We are good not in virtue of what we are but in virtue of what we are not, like darkness lit up by a light that enters into it from without. We are not light in ourselves but in virtue of having within us what is light in itself.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Ethics of Creation, Kathryn Tanner, 2018
Our moral worth comes not from our own virtues but from the light we carry within, illuminated by external truth.
In simple terms: We are valuable because of inner light, not personal virtues.
Key Takeaway
Seek external truth to illuminate inner goodness.
Themes
virtue
light
truth
humility
Mood
contemplative
philosophical
Type
theological
ethical
When to use this quote
- spiritual practice
- ethical decision‑making
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
theology
metaphysics
ethical identity
Questions to Reflect On
- What external sources illuminate your inner light?
- Can virtue exist without external influence?
A Different Perspective
Relies on metaphysical assumptions that may not be universally accepted.
