Accepting Quote by Marcus Eremita
“A man who hates the passion cuts off their causes. But a man who remains among their causes experiences even against his will the conflict from the passions. It is not possible to be mentally inclined toward a passion if one does not love its cause. For who, disdaining shame, is given to vainglory? Or who, loving lowliness, is bothered by dishonor? Who, having a broken and humble heart, accepts fleshly sweetness? Or who, believing in Christ, is concerned about temporal things, or argues about them?”
About This Quote
Source Treat: The Ascetic Writings, 6th century
Passion and cause are intertwined; one cannot reject a passion without rejecting its underlying purpose.
In simple terms: Passion follows cause; cannot separate them
Key Takeaway
Recognize how causes shape desires
Themes
spirituality
psychology
morality
Mood
contemplative
serious
Type
philosophical
spiritual
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- spiritual practice
- ethical decision making
Key Concepts
cause-effect
attachment
self-awareness
Questions to Reflect On
- How do your causes influence your emotions?
- Can you love a cause without being swayed by its passion?
A Different Perspective
One may argue that passions can be redirected rather than eliminated
![“It [covetousness] is a sin against God, just as all mortal sins, in as much as man condemns things eternal for the sake of temporal things.” quote by Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c05/thomas-aquinas-837_eternal_it-covetousness-is-a-sin-against-god-jus_526481.jpg)
