--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Here we discover a great error, and one…" description: "\"“Here we discover a great error, and one so much the more injurious as it is the less guarded against. Many who aspire to the spiritual life, being rat..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/976/lorenzo-scupoli-34858_life_here-we-discover-a-great-error-and-one-s_3171.jpg" --- # Here we discover a great error, and one so much the more… ![“Here we discover a great error, and one so much the more injurious as it is the less guarded against. Many who aspire to the spiritual life, being rather lovers of themselves than of that which is needful (although indeed they know it not), select for the most part those practices which accord…” quote by Lorenzo Scupoli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/976/lorenzo-scupoli-34858_life_here-we-discover-a-great-error-and-one-s_3171.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/976/lorenzo-scupoli-34858_life_here-we-discover-a-great-error-and-one-s_3171.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/976/lorenzo-scupoli-34858_life_here-we-discover-a-great-error-and-one-s_3171.jpg) > ““Here we discover a great error, and one so much the more injurious as it is the less guarded against. Many who aspire to the spiritual life, being rather lovers of themselves than of that which is needful (although indeed they know it not), select for the most part those practices which accord with their own taste, and neglect others which touch to the quick their natural inclinations and sensual appetites, to overcome which all reason demands that they should put forth their full strength. Therefore, beloved, I advise and entreat you to cherish a love for that which is painful and difficult, for such things will bring you victory over self—on this all depends.”” [Lorenzo Scupoli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorenzo-scupoli/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Recognizes that spiritual growth requires confronting uncomfortable truths and resisting self‑indulgent habits that feel safe but hinder true development. **In simple terms:** True growth lies in embracing difficulty. Key Takeaway Seek pain that cultivates virtue. Themes self‑discipline spiritual authenticity inner conflict growth through adversity self‑knowledge Mood determined reflective serious Type advice philosophical spiritual When to use this quote - choosing challenging practices - rejecting easy comforts - overcoming sensual cravings - pursuing disciplined rituals Key Concepts guardedness taste vs. need reason's demand victory over self Practical Applications - spiritual mentorship - personal development programs Questions to Reflect On - What comforts are you avoiding that could foster growth? - How does self‑love hinder deeper purpose? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Spiritual life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual-life/) ## Related quotes > [Nothing is easier for passion than to overcome reason, but the greatest triumph is to conquer a man's own interests.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/nothing-is-easier-for-passion-than-to-overcome-reason-but-the/) [Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) > [If you have overcome your inclination and not been overcome by it, you have reason to rejoice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/if-you-have-overcome-your-inclination-and-not-been-overcome-by-it-you/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [The interesting part of my spiritual life is studying as much as you can. 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Once you have taken up the spiritual life, fight as long as there is any life in you.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/be-brave-be-strong-be-fearless-once-you-have-taken-up-the-spiritual/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [In the spiritual life, he who does not advance goes backwards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pio-of-pietrelcina/in-the-spiritual-life-he-who-does-not-advance-goes-backwards/) [Pio of Pietrelcina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pio-of-pietrelcina/) > [Sincerity is the foundation of the spiritual life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/sincerity-is-the-foundation-of-the-spiritual-life/) [Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/) > [If anyone makes himself his own master in the spiritual life, he makes himself scholar to a fool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-of-clairvaux/if-anyone-makes-himself-his-own-master-in-the-spiritual-life-he-makes/) [Bernard of Clairvaux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-of-clairvaux/) > [It is almost impossible to overestimate the value of true humility and its power in the spiritual life. For the beginning of humility is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/it-is-almost-impossible-to-overestimate-the-value-of-true-humility/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) ## More by Lorenzo Scupoli > [Watch yourself with all diligence, lest the enemy steals near and robs you, depriving you of this great treasure, which is inner peace and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorenzo-scupoli/watch-yourself-with-all-diligence-lest-the-enemy-steals-near-and-robs/) [Lorenzo Scupoli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorenzo-scupoli/) > [... you must hasten to oppose pernicious pride of mind, before it penetrates into the marrow of your bones. Resist it, curb the quickness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorenzo-scupoli/you-must-hasten-to-oppose-pernicious-pride-of-mind-before-it/) [Lorenzo Scupoli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorenzo-scupoli/) > [... do not listen to vain and empty talk, in which the majority of world-loving people spend their time, and do not take pleasure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorenzo-scupoli/do-not-listen-to-vain-and-empty-talk-in-which-the-majority-of-world/) [Lorenzo Scupoli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorenzo-scupoli/) > [We should feel with our whole heart that we have no one to rely on except God, and that from Him and Him alone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorenzo-scupoli/we-should-feel-with-our-whole-heart-that-we-have-no-one-to-rely-on/) [Lorenzo Scupoli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorenzo-scupoli/) > [You should always say your prayers with tireless diligence, as the Apostle directs, saying: 'Continue in prayer and watch in the same' (Col. 4:2).…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorenzo-scupoli/you-should-always-say-your-prayers-with-tireless-diligence-as-the/) [Lorenzo Scupoli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorenzo-scupoli/) > [Our Lord Christ Himself strikes down our enemies through us, or in company with us. 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