--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What if we have more of the rough file…" description: "\"What if we have more of the rough file, if we have less rust! Afflictions carry away nothing but the dross of sin.\" — Thomas Watson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/743/thomas-watson-4209_affliction_what-if-we-have-more-of-the-rough-file-i_800245.png" --- # What if we have more of the rough file, if we have less… ![“What if we have more of the rough file, if we have less rust! Afflictions carry away nothing but the dross of sin.” quote by Thomas Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/743/thomas-watson-4209_affliction_what-if-we-have-more-of-the-rough-file-i_800245.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/743/thomas-watson-4209_affliction_what-if-we-have-more-of-the-rough-file-i_800245.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/743/thomas-watson-4209_affliction_what-if-we-have-more-of-the-rough-file-i_800245.png) > “What if we have more of the rough file, if we have less rust! Afflictions carry away nothing but the dross of sin.” [Thomas Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-watson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. 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. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Affliction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affliction/) [Afflictions Carry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afflictions-carry-6128381/) [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Dross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dross/) [Dross Sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dross-sin-6128382/) [File Rust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/file-rust-6128380/) [Files](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/files/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Rough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rough/) [Rough File](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rough-file-6128383/) [Rust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rust/) [Rust Afflictions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rust-afflictions-6128379/) [Sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sin/) [What if](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/what-if/) ## Related quotes > [It is hard to know what other way men can come to truth, to lay hold of it, if they do not dig and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/it-is-hard-to-know-what-other-way-men-can-come-to-truth-to-lay-hold/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) > [It is a kind and wise arrangement of Providence that weaves our sorrows into the elements of character and that all the disappointments, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-morley-punshon/it-is-a-kind-and-wise-arrangement-of-providence-that-weaves-our/) [William Morley Punshon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-morley-punshon/) > ['T is heaven alone that is given away; 'T is only God may be had for the asking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-russell-lowell/t-is-heaven-alone-that-is-given-away-t-is-only-god-may-be-had-for-the/) [James Russell Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-russell-lowell/) > [The man who dies leaving behind him millions of available wealth, which was his to administer during his life, will pass away unwept, unhonoured…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-carnegie/the-man-who-dies-leaving-behind-him-millions-of-available-wealth/) [Andrew Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-carnegie/) > [At fifteen one is first beginning to realize that everything isn't money and power in this world, and is casting about for joys that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-benchley/at-fifteen-one-is-first-beginning-to-realize-that-everything-isn-t/) [Robert Benchley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-benchley/) > [You cannot make steel until you have made the iron white-hot in fire. It is not meant for harm. Trouble and disease have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/you-cannot-make-steel-until-you-have-made-the-iron-white-hot-in-fire/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [The sense itself was I. I felt no dross or matter in my soul, no brims or borders, such as in a bowl we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-traherne/the-sense-itself-was-i-i-felt-no-dross-or-matter-in-my-soul-no-brims/) [Thomas Traherne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-traherne/) > [We may scavenge the dross of the nation, we may shudder past bloody sod, But we thrill to the new revelation that we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-haven-schauffler/we-may-scavenge-the-dross-of-the-nation-we-may-shudder-past-bloody/) [Robert Haven Schauffler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-haven-schauffler/) > [Men that hazard all Do it in hope of fair advantages: A golden mind stoops not to shows of dross.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/men-that-hazard-all-do-it-in-hope-of-fair-advantages-a-golden-mind/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [What thou lovest well remains, the rest is dross What thou lov'st well shall not be reft from thee What thou lov'st well is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-pound/what-thou-lovest-well-remains-the-rest-is-dross-what-thou-lov-st-well/) [Ezra Pound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-pound/) > [Fiction, I believed, was the transmutation of experiential dross into linguistic gold. Fiction meant taking up whatever the world had abandoned by the road…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-franzen/fiction-i-believed-was-the-transmutation-of-experiential-dross-into/) [Jonathan Franzen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-franzen/) > [The scholar only knows how dear these silent, yet eloquent, companions of pure thoughts and innocent hours become in the season of adversity. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-irving/the-scholar-only-knows-how-dear-these-silent-yet-eloquent-companions/) [Washington Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-irving/) > [A golden mind stoops not to shows of dross.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/a-golden-mind-stoops-not-to-shows-of-dross/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [I also have in mind that seemingly wealthy, but most terribly impoverished class of all, who have accumulated dross, but know not how to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-also-have-in-mind-that-seemingly-wealthy-but-most-terribly/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [The most divine light only shineth on those minds which are purged from all worldly dross and human uncleanliness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-raleigh/the-most-divine-light-only-shineth-on-those-minds-which-are-purged/) [Walter Raleigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-raleigh/) ## More by Thomas Watson > [“Oh, Christian, if you are overspread with this fretting leprosy, you carry the man of sin about you, for you set yourself above God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-watson/oh-christian-if-you-are-overspread-with-this-fretting-leprosy-you/) [Thomas Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-watson/) > [A wicked man in prayer may lift up his hands, but he cannot lift up his face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-watson/a-wicked-man-in-prayer-may-lift-up-his-hands-but-he-cannot-lift-up/) [Thomas Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-watson/) > [Joining a company is an act that calls for absolute loyalty in big matters and little ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-watson/joining-a-company-is-an-act-that-calls-for-absolute-loyalty-in-big/) [Thomas Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-watson/) > [It is our work to cast care, and it is God's work to take care.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-watson/it-is-our-work-to-cast-care-and-it-is-god-s-work-to-take-care/) [Thomas Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-watson/) > [“It is easy to catch a disease from another, but not to catch health. The bad will sooner corrupt the good, than the good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-watson/it-is-easy-to-catch-a-disease-from-another-but-not-to-catch-health/) [Thomas Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-watson/) > [“The world is but a great inn, where we are to stay a night or two, and be gone; what madness is it so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-watson/the-world-is-but-a-great-inn-where-we-are-to-stay-a-night-or-two-and/) [Thomas Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-watson/) > [The Ediles among the Romans had their doors always standing open, that all who had petitions might have free access to them. The door…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-watson/the-ediles-among-the-romans-had-their-doors-always-standing-open-that/) [Thomas Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-watson/) > [“This judgment is on many, the earth swallows up their time, and thoughts, and discourse, they are buried twice; their hearts are buried in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-watson/this-judgment-is-on-many-the-earth-swallows-up-their-time-and/) [Thomas Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-watson/) > [“Upon our turning to God, we have more restored to us in Christ—than ever was lost in Adam. God says to the repenting soul,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-watson/upon-our-turning-to-god-we-have-more-restored-to-us-in-christ-than/) [Thomas Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-watson/) > [Christ went more willingly to the cross than we do to the throne of grace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-watson/christ-went-more-willingly-to-the-cross-than-we-do-to-the-throne-of/) [Thomas Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-watson/) > [The more we enjoy of God, the more we are ravished with delight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-watson/the-more-we-enjoy-of-god-the-more-we-are-ravished-with-delight/) [Thomas Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-watson/) > [“To obey God, is not so much our duty—as our privilege; his commands carry food in the mouth of them. He bids us repent—and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-watson/to-obey-god-is-not-so-much-our-duty-as-our-privilege-his-commands/) [Thomas Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-watson/) > [Prayer is the offering up of our desires to God in the name of Christ, for such things as are agreeable to his will.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-watson/prayer-is-the-offering-up-of-our-desires-to-god-in-the-name-of-christ/) [Thomas Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-watson/) > [Affliction may be lasting, but it is not everlasting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-watson/affliction-may-be-lasting-but-it-is-not-everlasting/) [Thomas Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-watson/) > [Prayer delights God's ear; it melts His heart; and opens His hand. God cannot deny a praying soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-watson/prayer-delights-god-s-ear-it-melts-his-heart-and-opens-his-hand-god/) [Thomas Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-watson/) [Explore all 113 Thomas Watson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-watson/) ## More Affliction quotes > [I don't feel insecure about any of this work anymore. Maybe I don't have what I had when I was younger. I'm not really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-norton/i-don-t-feel-insecure-about-any-of-this-work-anymore-maybe-i-don-t/) [Edward Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-norton/) > [Every man will have his own criterion in forming his judgment of others. I depend very much on the effect of affliction. I consider…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-cecil/every-man-will-have-his-own-criterion-in-forming-his-judgment-of/) [Richard Cecil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-cecil/) > [WHANGDEPOOTENAWAH, n. In the Ojibwa tongue, disaster; an unexpected affliction that strikes hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/whangdepootenawah-n-in-the-ojibwa-tongue-disaster-an-unexpected/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [There is nothing in afflictions which ought to disturb our joy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calvin/there-is-nothing-in-afflictions-which-ought-to-disturb-our-joy/) [John Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calvin/) > [Come, then, affliction, if my Father wills, and be my frowning friend. A friend that frowns is better than a smiling enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/come-then-affliction-if-my-father-wills-and-be-my-frowning-friend-a/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [Henceforth, I'll bear Affliction till it do cry out itself, 'Enough, enough, and die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/henceforth-i-ll-bear-affliction-till-it-do-cry-out-itself-enough/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [New materials are one of the great afflictions of contemporary art. Some artists confuse new materials with new ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sol-lewitt/new-materials-are-one-of-the-great-afflictions-of-contemporary-art/) [Sol LeWitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sol-lewitt/) > [Aimee Parkison offers a distinct new voice to contemporary fiction. Her seductive stories explore childhood as a realm of sorrows, and reveal the afflictions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-anshaw/aimee-parkison-offers-a-distinct-new-voice-to-contemporary-fiction/) [Carol Anshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-anshaw/) > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rainer-maria-rilke/may-i-strike-my-heart-s-keys-clearly-and-may-none-fail-because-of/) [Rainer Maria Rilke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rainer-maria-rilke/) > [We are infinitely more than our limitations and afflictions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/we-are-infinitely-more-than-our-limitations-and-afflictions/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [God measures out affliction to our need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-john-chrysostom/god-measures-out-affliction-to-our-need/) [Saint John Chrysostom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-john-chrysostom/) > [Afflictions make the heart more deep, more experimental, more knowing and profound, and so, more able to hold, to contain, and beat more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bunyan/afflictions-make-the-heart-more-deep-more-experimental-more-knowing/) [John Bunyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bunyan/) > [Religion prescribes to every miserable man the means of bettering his condition; nay, it shows him that the bearing of his afflictions as he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/religion-prescribes-to-every-miserable-man-the-means-of-bettering-his/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [Short-term amnesia is not the worst affliction if you have an Irish flair for the sauce.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-mailer/short-term-amnesia-is-not-the-worst-affliction-if-you-have-an-irish/) [Norman Mailer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-mailer/) > [Revolution will free society of its afflictions, while science will free the individual of his.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-vargas-llosa/revolution-will-free-society-of-its-afflictions-while-science-will/) [Mario Vargas Llosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-vargas-llosa/) [Browse all 598 Affliction quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affliction/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What if we have more of the rough file, if we have less rust! 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