Affliction Quote by Thomas Watson
“What if we have more of the rough file, if we have less rust! Afflictions carry away nothing but the dross of sin.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: IBM Conference, 1915
Improving moral character involves removing sin’s impurities, like rust from metal.
In simple terms: Remove sin’s dross to improve character.
Key Takeaway
Purge negative habits for moral growth.
Themes
morality
self‑improvement
purification
Mood
thoughtful
inspirational
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- personal development
- ethical training
- leadership coaching
Key Concepts
Ethics
spiritual cleansing
Questions to Reflect On
- What dross must you discard?
- How to balance self‑critique with compassion?
A Different Perspective
Over‑emphasis on purity may ignore systemic issues.
![“May I strike my heart's keys clearly, and may none fail because of slack, uncertain, or fraying strings. May the tears that stream down my face make me more radiant: may my hidden weeping bloom… How we waste our afflictions!... [T]hey're really our wintering foliage, our dark greens of meaning…” quote by Rainer Maria Rilke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7c7/rainer-maria-rilke-193_abode_may-i-strike-my-heart-s-keys-clearly-and_52479.jpg)
