Asceticism Quote by Tito Colliander
“There are three kinds of nature in man, as Nicetas Stethatos further explains: the carnal man, who wants to live for his own pleasure, even if it harms others; the natural man, who wants to please both himself and others; and the spiritual man, who wants to please only God, even if it harms himself. The first is lower than human nature, the second is normal, the third is above nature; it is life in Christ.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: Spiritual Anthropology by Tito Colliander, 1930s
Human nature can be divided into three categories: self‑centered, socially balanced, and God‑oriented, with the spiritual surpassing ordinary humanity.
In simple terms: Three types of man: selfish, balanced, divine.
Key Takeaway
Aim for the spiritual, God‑focused life.
Themes
spirituality
ethics
human nature
religion
Mood
contemplative
reflective
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- faith formation
- community service
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
anthropology
theology
moral hierarchy
Questions to Reflect On
- Which aspect of your nature guides your daily choices?
- How can you nurture the spiritual dimension amid worldly pressures?
A Different Perspective
Spiritual pursuit may demand personal sacrifice and societal misunderstanding.
![“4. Man is neither Good-natured nor Bad-natured according to Su Shih (So-shoku).[FN#164] The difficulty may be avoided by a theory given by Su Shih and other scholars influenced by Buddhism, which maintains that man is neither good-natured nor bad-natured. According to this opinion man is not moral…” quote by Kaiten Nukariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/83c/kaiten-nukariya-793_buddhism_4-man-is-neither-good-natured-nor-bad-na_100937.jpg)
