Ashes Quote by Robert Southwell
“My faultless breast the furnace is, the fuel wounding thorns;Love is the fire and sighs the smoke, the ashes shame and scorns;The fuel Justice layeth on, and Mercy blows the coals;The metal in this furnace wrought are men's defiled souls.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Burning of the Soul, 1621
The poet likens the heart to a furnace where love, justice, and mercy blaze, while souls are forged and scarred by these forces.
In simple terms: Heart as furnace where love, justice, mercy shape souls.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate love, justice, and mercy within.
Themes
spirituality
redemption
inner fire
Mood
solemn
reflective
Type
poetic
theological
When to use this quote
- personal repentance
- social justice
- spiritual practice
- creative writing
Key Concepts
forging
sacrifice
moral struggle
Questions to Reflect On
- How do love and justice interact in your life?
- What role does mercy play in personal transformation?
A Different Perspective
Balancing fire and smoke can be destructive.
