Able Quote by Thomas Merton
“Once you have grace," I said to him, "you are free. Without it, you cannot help doing the things you know you should not do, and that you know you don't really want to do. But once you have grace, you are free. When you are baptized, there is no power in existence that can force you to commit a sin-nothing that will be able to drive you to it against your own conscience. And if you merely will it, you will be free forever, because the strength will be given you, as much as you need, and as often as you ask, and as soon as you ask, and generally long before you ask for it, too.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Sign of the Cross, Thomas Merton, 1955
Grace liberates the soul from compulsive wrongdoing, granting freedom to act according to conscience when divine aid is sought.
In simple terms: Grace gives freedom from unwanted actions.
Key Takeaway
Seek grace to act freely.
Themes
spirituality
freedom
morality
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
spiritual
philosophical
When to use this quote
- baptism
- personal struggle
- ethical decision making
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
grace
conscience
divine assistance
Questions to Reflect On
- How does grace change your sense of responsibility?
- Can you act ethically without grace?
A Different Perspective
Grace may be interpreted as internal resolve, not external power.
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