Every man Quote by Thomas Merton
““God does not demand that every man attain to what is theoretically highest and best. It is better to be a good street sweeper than a bad writer, better to be a good bartender than a bad doctor, and the repentant thief who died with Jesus on Calvary was far more perfect than the holy ones who had Him nailed to the cross. And yet, abstractly speaking, what is more holy than the priesthood and less holy than the state of a criminal? The dying thief had, perhaps, disobeyed the will of God in many things: but in the most important event of his life he listened and obeyed. The Pharisees had kept the law to the letter and had spent their lives in the pursuit of a most scrupulous perfection. But they were so intent upon perfection as an abstraction that when God manifested His will and His perfection in a concrete and definite way they had no choice but to reject it.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton, 1948
True worth lies in humble service and obedience rather than lofty titles or abstract perfection.
In simple terms: Being good matters more than being great.
Key Takeaway
Focus on sincere service.
Themes
humility
service
obedience
perfection
faith
Mood
reflective
serene
Type
spiritual
philosophical
When to use this quote
- volunteering
- caregiving
- personal growth
- community work
Key Concepts
theology
ethics
spirituality
Questions to Reflect On
- What simple act can you do today to serve others?
- How do you balance ambition with humility?
A Different Perspective
Perfectionism can blind one to real divine purpose.
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