Quotes about Discernment

I think there is only one quality worse than hardness of heart, and that is softness of head.

Nine tenths of wisdom consists in being wise in time.

But because many endeavor to get knowledge rather than to live well, they are often deceived and reap little or no benefit from their labor.

Grant me prudently to avoid him that flatters me, and to endure patiently him that contradicts me.

This is great wisdom, not to be hasty in action, or stubborn in our own opinions.

Not every desire is from the Holy Spirit, even though it may seem right and good.

We must not trust every word of others or feeling within ourselves, but cautiously and patiently try the matter, whether it be of God.

Ask not, who hath said this or that, but look to what he says.

Oh, how good and peacemaking a thing it is to be silent concerning others, and not carelessly to believe all reports, nor to hand them on further; how good also to lay one's self open to few, to seek ever to have Thee as the beholder of the heart; not to be carried about with every wind of words, but to desire that all things inward and outward be done according to the good pleasure of Thy will!

No man ought to despise or in any way injure another man without urgent cause: and, consequently, unless we have evident indications of a person's wickedness, we ought to deem him good, by interpreting for the best whatever is doubtful about him.

We need discernment in what we see and what we hear and what we believe.

Through our own recovered innocence we discern the innocence of our neighbors.