“It is natural for a man to desire what he reckons better than that which he has already, and be satisfied with nothing which lacks that special quality which he misses. Thus, if it is for her beauty that he loves his wife, he will cast longing eyes after a fairer woman. If he is clad in a rich garment, he will covet a costlier one; and no matter how rich he may be he will envy a man richer than himself. … No matter how many such things one has, he is always lusting after what he has not; never at peace, he sighs for new possessions. Discontented, he spends himself in fruitless toil, and finds only weariness in the evanescent and unreal pleasures of the world. In his greediness, he counts all that he has clutched as nothing in comparison with what is beyond his grasp, and loses all pleasure in his actual possessions by longing after what he has not, yet covets. … They wear themselves out in vain travail, without reaching their blessed consummation, because they delight in creatures, not in the Creator.” —Bernard of Clairvaux
Bernard Of Clairvaux On Discontentment
June 29, 2016 — Craig T. Owens20 Useful Maxims
June 29, 2016 — Craig T. Owens
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Useful Maxims by Brian Ridolfi (check out my review of his book by clicking here). Here are 20 of Brian’s useful maxims that caught my highlighter.
- Going to church is good; going to God is better.
- Progress is not good if you are progressing in the wrong direction.
- Good demeanor does not validate bad behavior.
- Broken commandments break down integrity.
- The Bible’s meaning is not hidden from men; men hide from its meaning.
- Actions are better indicators of character than rhetoric.
- The indifferent make no difference.
- Remaining weak takes strength. It takes power not to use power.
- Great men step in when everyone else steps out.
- Moral arguments which are entirely material are entirely immaterial.
- Peacemakers and saltshakers dispense enrichment.
- A grudge will keep you deep in sludge. Points of contention are points of retention.
- Revenge is hard to reverse.
- Never put faith in people who have no faith.
- Everything goes when anything goes.
- Your sin is not just your problem.
- Parental neglect prompts government parenting.
- Where no one fears God, everyone fears man.
- The right battle is lost with the wrong weapon.
- Insecurity secures instability.
Watch for more maxims soon. Or follow me on Twitter and Tumblr to read some of Brian Ridolfi’s maxims.
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Craig T. Owens 