--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He is a man, who is to be a man; the…" description: "\"He is a man, who is to be a man; the fruit is always present in the seed.\" — Tertullian" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/161/tertullian-3469_abortion_he-is-a-man-who-is-to-be-a-man-the-fruit_1365934.png" --- # He is a man, who is to be a man; the fruit is always… ![“He is a man, who is to be a man; the fruit is always present in the seed.” quote by Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/161/tertullian-3469_abortion_he-is-a-man-who-is-to-be-a-man-the-fruit_1365934.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/161/tertullian-3469_abortion_he-is-a-man-who-is-to-be-a-man-the-fruit_1365934.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/161/tertullian-3469_abortion_he-is-a-man-who-is-to-be-a-man-the-fruit_1365934.png) > “He is a man, who is to be a man; the fruit is always present in the seed.” [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A man’s nature is inherent; the potential (fruit) is always present within the seed (origin). **In simple terms:** Man’s true nature is built‑in. Key Takeaway Recognize innate potential in yourself and others. Themes potential nature growth Mood encouraging hopeful Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - education - leadership - personal development Key Concepts theology human nature development Questions to Reflect On - How does recognizing innate potential change behavior? - What seeds of growth do you nurture? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abortion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abortion/) [Fruit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fruit/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) ## Related quotes > [The entire fruit is already present in the seed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/the-entire-fruit-is-already-present-in-the-seed/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [The whole fruit is already present in the seed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/the-whole-fruit-is-already-present-in-the-seed/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [Every man is a fruit of natural arts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayjay-guillermo/every-man-is-a-fruit-of-natural-arts/) [Jayjay Guillermo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayjay-guillermo/) > [An individual man is a fruit which it cost all the foregoing ages to form and ripen. He is strong, not to do, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/an-individual-man-is-a-fruit-which-it-cost-all-the-foregoing-ages-to/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The seeds of the past bear fruit in the present.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/the-seeds-of-the-past-bear-fruit-in-the-present/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [The early influences, in many ways, were in Baltimore. I was passing open windows where there might be a radio playing something funky. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-leiber/the-early-influences-in-many-ways-were-in-baltimore-i-was-passing/) [Jerry Leiber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-leiber/) > [The blood of Christians is seed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/the-blood-of-christians-is-seed/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [My friends, let us try to follow the Saviour's steps; let us remember all day long what it is to be men; that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-kingsley/my-friends-let-us-try-to-follow-the-saviour-s-steps-let-us-remember/) [Charles Kingsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-kingsley/) > [Men will cease to be fools only when they cease to be men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/men-will-cease-to-be-fools-only-when-they-cease-to-be-men/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [Feminist theory has left an indelible mark on my own critical—and creative—thinking . . . For me, everything I questioned about what it meant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-haynes/feminist-theory-has-left-an-indelible-mark-on-my-own-critical-and/) [Todd Haynes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-haynes/) > [I think transwomen, and transpeople in general, show everyone that you can define what it means to be a man or woman on your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laverne-cox/i-think-transwomen-and-transpeople-in-general-show-everyone-that-you/) [Laverne Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laverne-cox/) > [Biggest man law - be a man. Simple: be a man, definition of being a man is being a man. And don't let your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-griffin/biggest-man-law-be-a-man-simple-be-a-man-definition-of-being-a-man-is/) [Eddie Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-griffin/) > [Just leaving the brotherhood I have made at Georgia, the staff and all my coaches. They've prepared me for the real world. I'm really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-green/just-leaving-the-brotherhood-i-have-made-at-georgia-the-staff-and-all/) [A. J. Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-green/) > [I closed my own jazz bar so I could be a man who can write novels as I like. I was pleased about that.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/i-closed-my-own-jazz-bar-so-i-could-be-a-man-who-can-write-novels-as/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [But if you will recall the history of our civil troubles, you will see half the nation bathe itself, out of piety, in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-diderot/but-if-you-will-recall-the-history-of-our-civil-troubles-you-will-see/) [Denis Diderot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-diderot/) ## More by Tertullian > [The soul whose bosom lust did never touch Is God's fair bride; and maiden's souls are such.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/the-soul-whose-bosom-lust-did-never-touch-is-god-s-fair-bride-and/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [You can't undo anything you've already done, but you can face up to it. You can tell the truth. You can seek forgiveness. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/you-can-t-undo-anything-you-ve-already-done-but-you-can-face-up-to-it/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [Indeed it is better to postpone, lest either we complete too little by hurrying, or wander too long in completing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/indeed-it-is-better-to-postpone-lest-either-we-complete-too-little-by/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [A man becomes a Christian, he is not born one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/a-man-becomes-a-christian-he-is-not-born-one/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [The Word, then, the Christ, is the cause both of our ancient beginning, for lie was in God, and of our well-being. And now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/the-word-then-the-christ-is-the-cause-both-of-our-ancient-beginning/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [But now inquiry is being made concerning these issues. First, can any believer enlist in the military? Second, can any soldier, even those of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/but-now-inquiry-is-being-made-concerning-these-issues-first-can-any/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [Let women paint their eyes with tints of chastity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/let-women-paint-their-eyes-with-tints-of-chastity/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/the-blood-of-the-martyrs-is-the-seed-of-the-church/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [It is certainly no part of religion to compel religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/it-is-certainly-no-part-of-religion-to-compel-religion/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [Now then, you dogs, whom the apostle puts outside and who yelp at the God of truth, let us come to your various questions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/now-then-you-dogs-whom-the-apostle-puts-outside-and-who-yelp-at-the/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [Hope is patience with the lamp lit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/hope-is-patience-with-the-lamp-lit/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [What has Athens to do with Jerusalem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/what-has-athens-to-do-with-jerusalem/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [God the Father's a deep root; the Son's the shoot that breaks into the world; the Spirit spreads the beauty & fragrance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/god-the-father-s-a-deep-root-the-son-s-the-shoot-that-breaks-into-the/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [The nature of rumor is known to all](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/the-nature-of-rumor-is-known-to-all/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [Prevention of birth is premature murder, and it makes no difference whether it is a life already born that one snatches away or a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/prevention-of-birth-is-premature-murder-and-it-makes-no-difference/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) [Explore all 130 Tertullian quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) ## More Abortion quotes > [“Conception is the beginning of human life. From the time that an ovum is fertilized a new life begins that is neither that of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/declaration-on-procured-abortion-congregation-for-the-doctrine-of-the-faith-1974/conception-is-the-beginning-of-human-life-from-the-time-that-an-ovum/) Declaration on Procured Abortion Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith 1974 > [Hey everyone, in case y'all didn't hear, I'm pregnat, and after discussing it w/ my family, I've decided to get an abortion, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madison-badesheim/hey-everyone-in-case-y-all-didn-t-hear-i-m-pregnat-and-after/) Madison Badesheim > [There was no mistake in us making abortion legal and available on demand. That was what we call progress. Just like it was no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ruffalo/there-was-no-mistake-in-us-making-abortion-legal-and-available-on/) [Mark Ruffalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ruffalo/) > [My favorite Founding Fathers, Christians like John Adams, were absolutely appalled by slavery, and did not own slaves. I think we're going to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-coulter/my-favorite-founding-fathers-christians-like-john-adams-were/) [Ann Coulter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-coulter/) > [“David Bereit, Founder of Forty Days for Life, points out that any abortion clinic in America should have a sign in its window that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-price/david-bereit-founder-of-forty-days-for-life-points-out-that-any/) [John Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-price/) > [The Chinese describe themselves as political refugees. Many base that claim on China's strict population laws, which allow them to have only one child.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-koch/the-chinese-describe-themselves-as-political-refugees-many-base-that/) [Ed Koch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-koch/) > [I'm a pro-life candidate because I believe that science is proving us right every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carly-fiorina/i-m-a-pro-life-candidate-because-i-believe-that-science-is-proving-us/) [Carly Fiorina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carly-fiorina/) > [I've noticed that everyone who is for abortion…has been born.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/i-ve-noticed-that-everyone-who-is-for-abortion-has-been-born/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [We talk a lot about how abortion is a medical procedure, but actually if you look at what the other side is doing, they're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-northup/we-talk-a-lot-about-how-abortion-is-a-medical-procedure-but-actually/) [Nancy Northup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-northup/) > [“The Vatican won't prosecute pedophile priests but I decide I'm not ready for motherhood and it's condemnation for me? These are the same people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-renee-taylor/the-vatican-won-t-prosecute-pedophile-priests-but-i-decide-i-m-not/) Sonya Renee Taylor > [Pro-lifers have long been castigated for bringing private values into the public square. But actually it is the pro-abortion position that is based on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-pearcey/pro-lifers-have-long-been-castigated-for-bringing-private-values-into/) [Nancy Pearcey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pearcey/) > [I am 100 percent pro-life and have been my whole life. That means I am opposed to abortion at any stage of pregnancy, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-hawley/i-am-100-percent-pro-life-and-have-been-my-whole-life-that-means-i-am/) [Josh Hawley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-hawley/) > [Any woman should have the right to a safe and legal abortion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-ford/any-woman-should-have-the-right-to-a-safe-and-legal-abortion/) [Betty Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-ford/) > [“For Republicans, life begins at conception but ends at birth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-adam-snyder/for-republicans-life-begins-at-conception-but-ends-at-birth/) [J.Adam Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-adam-snyder/) > [I think fundamentally, the real power behind the anti-choice movement in regard to abortion and the opposition to the rights of LGBT Americans is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-w-lynn/i-think-fundamentally-the-real-power-behind-the-anti-choice-movement/) [Barry W. Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-w-lynn/) [Browse all 1,629 Abortion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abortion/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "He is a man, who is to be a man; the fruit is always present in the seed.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tertullian" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/he-is-a-man-who-is-to-be-a-man-the-fruit-is-always-present-in-the-seed/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Abortion" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/he-is-a-man-who-is-to-be-a-man-the-fruit-is-always-present-in-the-seed/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/161/tertullian-3469_abortion_he-is-a-man-who-is-to-be-a-man-the-fruit_1365934.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/161/tertullian-3469_abortion_he-is-a-man-who-is-to-be-a-man-the-fruit_1365934.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/161/tertullian-3469_abortion_he-is-a-man-who-is-to-be-a-man-the-fruit_1365934.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“He is a man, who is to be a man; the fruit is always present in the seed.” — Tertullian", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Tertullian", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "He is a man, who is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/he-is-a-man-who-is-to-be-a-man-the-fruit-is-always-present-in-the-seed/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/he-is-a-man-who-is-to-be-a-man-the-fruit-is-always-present-in-the-seed/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```