--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I choose gentleness... Nothing is won by…" description: "\"I choose gentleness... Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be onl..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a47/max-lucado-190_demand_i-choose-gentleness-nothing-is-won-by-fo_2074666.jpg" --- # I choose gentleness... Nothing is won by force. I choose… ![“I choose gentleness... Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.” quote by Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a47/max-lucado-190_demand_i-choose-gentleness-nothing-is-won-by-fo_2074666.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a47/max-lucado-190_demand_i-choose-gentleness-nothing-is-won-by-fo_2074666.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a47/max-lucado-190_demand_i-choose-gentleness-nothing-is-won-by-fo_2074666.jpg) > “I choose gentleness... Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.” [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Choosing gentleness over force leads to higher outcomes; actions should be rooted in praise, prayer, and self‑reflection. **In simple terms:** Gentleness yields true strength. Key Takeaway Practice compassionate assertiveness. Themes spirituality gentleness power prayer self‑control Mood calm hopeful Type inspirational ethical When to use this quote - conflict resolution - parenting - team management - personal growth - activism Key Concepts inner peace non‑violent communication ethical leadership Questions to Reflect On - When is firmness necessary? - How can you maintain gentleness under pressure? A Different Perspective Gentleness may be perceived as weakness in aggressive contexts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choose Gentle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choose-gentle-4021700/) [Choose Gentleness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choose-gentleness-4021698/) [Demand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/demand/) [Fists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fists/) [Force](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/force/) [Gentle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentle/) [Gentleness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentleness/) [Gentleness Won](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentleness-won-4021699/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praise/) [Prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer/) [Raises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/raises/) [Voice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/voice/) ## Related quotes > [We must be gentle now we are gentlemen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/we-must-be-gentle-now-we-are-gentlemen/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Be patient and gentle with yourself as you continue to learn new ways of eating and living. There is no need for hard-and-fast rules…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-freston/be-patient-and-gentle-with-yourself-as-you-continue-to-learn-new-ways/) [Kathy Freston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-freston/) > [In our rough and rugged individualism, we think of gentleness as weakness, being soft and virtually spineless. Not so! Gentleness includes such enviable qualities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/in-our-rough-and-rugged-individualism-we-think-of-gentleness-as/) [Charles R. 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And those are the same qualities that enhance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-kest/being-empowered-includes-developing-the-powerful-qualities-that-lead/) [Bryan Kest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-kest/) > [Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/love-joy-peace-patience-kindness-goodness-faithfulness-gentleness-and-2/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To these I commit my day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/love-joy-peace-patience-kindness-goodness-faithfulness-gentleness-and/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [Compassion gives us a common ground to stand on regardless of your faith background. It gives us a chance to stand shoulder-to-shoulder rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/compassion-gives-us-a-common-ground-to-stand-on-regardless-of-your/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [“SILENT LIKE SLEEP You appear by my side, silent like sleep. Soft hair, a little wild. No fear, gentle like a calm river. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-goddard/silent-like-sleep-you-appear-by-my-side-silent-like-sleep-soft-hair-a/) [Donna Goddard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-goddard/) ## More by Max Lucado > [I really enjoy making people laugh; I've discovered that's a great technique. That's as powerful as stirring their sorrow, stirring their compassion, because that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/i-really-enjoy-making-people-laugh-i-ve-discovered-that-s-a-great/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [When we look at the love of Christ, we make a wonderful discovery. Love is more a decision than an emotion! Christ-like love applauds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/when-we-look-at-the-love-of-christ-we-make-a-wonderful-discovery-love/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [You will be at your best forever, Even now you have good moments. Occasional glimpses of your heavenly self. When you change your baby's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/you-will-be-at-your-best-forever-even-now-you-have-good-moments/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [“Ageing. We laugh about it, and we groan about it. We resist it, but we cant't stop it. And with the chuckles and wrinkles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/ageing-we-laugh-about-it-and-we-groan-about-it-we-resist-it-but-we/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [“You’ve already learned, haven’t you, that a promise made is not always a promise kept? 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Serve; don't seek to be seen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/the-church-is-never-a-place-to-show-off-do-your-good-deeds-quietly/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [If there are a thousand steps between us and God, He will take all but one. He will leave the final one for us.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/if-there-are-a-thousand-steps-between-us-and-god-he-will-take-all-but/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [God's love never ceases. Never... God doesn't love us less if we fail or more if we succeed. God's love never ceases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/god-s-love-never-ceases-never-god-doesn-t-love-us-less-if-we-fail-or/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [Are you on the eve of change? Embrace it. Accept it. Don't resist it. Change is not only a part of life, change is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/are-you-on-the-eve-of-change-embrace-it-accept-it-don-t-resist-it/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [There's no limit to God's love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/there-s-no-limit-to-god-s-love/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [God will use whatever he wants to display his glory. Heavens and stars. History and nations. People and problems.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/god-will-use-whatever-he-wants-to-display-his-glory-heavens-and-stars/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [Whether or not storms come, we can not choose. But where we stare during a storm, that we can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/whether-or-not-storms-come-we-can-not-choose-but-where-we-stare/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [Write today's worries in sand. Chisel yesterday's victories in stone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/write-today-s-worries-in-sand-chisel-yesterday-s-victories-in-stone/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) [Explore all 968 Max Lucado quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) ## More Demand quotes > [Our times demand the declaration of the world's resources as the common heritage of all people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacque-fresco/our-times-demand-the-declaration-of-the-world-s-resources-as-the/) [Jacque Fresco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacque-fresco/) > [Parents who are stressed or disturbed will have more difficulty in meeting their children's needs. 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Truett Cathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-truett-cathy/) > [If our faith in God is not the veriest sham, it demands, and will produce, the abandonment sometimes, the subordination always, of external helps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-maclaren/if-our-faith-in-god-is-not-the-veriest-sham-it-demands-and-will/) [Alexander MacLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-maclaren/) > [Money should be ones demand and command one should not become slave of money..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/money-should-be-ones-demand-and-command-one-should-not-become-slave/) [Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/) > [There was no mistake in us making abortion legal and available on demand. That was what we call progress. 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