Quotes about Secret
A secret in his mouth, is like a wild bird put into a cage; whose door no sooner opens, but 'tis out.
- Samuel Johnson
Therefore they escape by the shift that this is done only with God's permission, not also by his will;3 but he, openly declaring that he is the doer, repudiates that evasion. However, that men can accomplish nothing except by God's secret command, that they cannot by deliberating accomplish anything except what he has already decreed with himself and determines by his secret direction, is proved by innumerable and clear testimonies.
- John Calvin
God's purpose remains God's secret, and he alone can justify his deeds among men. So
- John Calvin
True knowledge of God and of the secret of his wisdom comes from faith, because the obedience of faith opens to us the gate of the Kingdom of Heaven.
- John Calvin
He should creep on by clandestine acts, and not contend in open battle according to the practice of those who excel in courage; he should secretly try many schemes, and thus stealthily extend his empire.
- John Calvin
I will try and remember always to approach God in secret with as much reverence in speech, posture, and behavior as in public. Help me, Thou who knowest my frame and pitiest as a father his children.
- David Livingstone
what storyteller is adequate to her story? The story carries us along, bottles on the tide, each with our secret mesage and the fervent hope that it does not turn out to be blank.
- Erica Jong
God resists our evil and conquers it with good, or how could God ask the same of us?! Think about that. God shocks and stuns us into love. God does not love us if we change, God loves us so that we can change. Only love effects true inner transformation, not duress, guilt, shunning, or social pressure. Love is not love unless it is totally free. Grace is not grace unless it is totally free. You would think Christian people would know that by now, but it is still a secret of the soul.
- Fr. Richard Rohr
St. John of the Cross taught that God has to work in the soul in secret and in darkness, because if we fully knew what was happening, and what Mystery/transformation/God/grace will eventually ask of us, we would either try to take charge or stop the whole process.8 No one oversees his or her own demise willingly, even when it is the false self that is dying.
- Fr. Richard Rohr
The loss and renewal pattern is so constant and ubiquitous that it should hardly be called a secret at all.
- Fr. Richard Rohr
For Paul, Christ is "that mystery which for endless ages has been kept secret" (Romans 16:25—27). And a well-kept secret it still remains for most Christians.
- Fr. Richard Rohr
God has to work on the soul in secret and in darkness because if we fully knew what was happening and what Mystery-Transformation-God-Grace will eventually ask of us we would either try to take charge or stop the whole process. No one oversees his or her own demise willingly even when it is the false self that is dying.
- Fr. Richard Rohr