Faith Quote by Nathaniel Hawthorne
““He himself, on the other hand, with characteristic humility, avowed his belief that if Providence should see fit to remove him, it would be because of his own unworthiness to perform its humblest mission here on earth. With all this difference of opinion as to the cause of his decline, there could be no question of the fact. His form grew emaciated; his voice, though still rich and sweet, had a certain melancholy prophecy of decay in it; he was often observed, on any slight alarm or other sudden accident, to put his hand over his heart with first a flush and then a paleness, indicative of pain. ””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, 1850
He believes his decline is due to personal unworthiness, seeing suffering as divine judgment.
In simple terms: He feels his illness is a sign of personal failure.
Key Takeaway
Accept personal limits, seek humility.
Themes
humility
divine judgment
human frailty
Mood
melancholy
reflective
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- personal health crisis
- spiritual reflection
- public speaking
- leadership challenges
Key Concepts
theology
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you attribute setbacks to personal flaw or external factors?
- How does humility affect coping with decline?
A Different Perspective
His view may overlook medical causes of illness.
