Another man Quote by Thomas Merton
““For whatever is demanded by truth, by justice, by mercy, or by love must surely be taken to be willed by God. To consent to His will is, then, to consent to be true, or to speak truth, or at least to seek it. To obey Him is to respond to His will expressed in the need of another person, or at least to respect the rights of others. For the right of another man is the expression of God’s love and God’s will. In demanding that I respect the rights of another God is not merely asking me to conform to some abstract, arbitrary law: He is enabling me to share, as His son, in His own care for my brother. No man who ignores the rights and needs of others can hope to walk in the light of contemplation, because his way has turned aside from truth, from compassion and therefore from God. The””
About This Quote
The passage argues that obeying divine will involves respecting others’ rights and seeking truth, framing moral action as a reflection of God’s love and justice.
In simple terms: Following God means respecting others and truth.
Key Takeaway
Treat others with respect and seek truth.
Themes
ethics
theology
human rights
Mood
inspirational
spiritual
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- lawmaking
- conflict resolution
- personal conduct
Key Concepts
divine will
compassion
justice
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance personal beliefs with others’ rights?
- What does respecting others look like in daily life?
A Different Perspective
May assume universal agreement on divine authority.
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
