Accomplishing something Quote by Maltbie Davenport Babcock
“The only test of possession is use. The talent that is buried is not owned. The napkin and the hole in the ground are far more truly the man's property, because they are accomplishing something for him, slothful and shameful though it be. And what is a lost soul? Is it not one that God cannot use, or one that cannot use God? Trustless, prayerless, fruitless, loveless--is it not so far lost? So may a man have a soul that is lost and be dead while he lives.”
About This Quote
True possession is demonstrated through use; unused talent is not owned. A lost soul is one unable to use or be used by God, leading to emptiness and death.
In simple terms: Use shows ownership; lack of purpose leads to a lost soul.
Key Takeaway
Engage talents to avoid spiritual emptiness.
Themes
spirituality
purpose
talent
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
theological
inspirational
When to use this quote
- religious text
- philosophical treatise
Key Concepts
faith
personal development
existential meaning
Questions to Reflect On
- How can one revive a lost soul?
- What practical steps turn talent into purpose?
A Different Perspective
The view may be overly deterministic.
