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About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker warns a young man that he cannot fight or compete with God.
In plain terms
A young man cannot fight God because he is too weak.
What can you take from it?
Humans should not try to challenge divine power.

Where it applies

  • moral advice
  • religious instruction
  • life lessons

Putting it to work

  • giving life advice
  • discussing authority
  • teaching humility

Questions to consider

  • Why does the arm matter?
  • What is the cost of trying?

Another view

It implies that challenging higher powers is futile regardless of circumstance.

More from James Weldon Johnson

  1. Find Sister Caroline... And she's tired- She's weary- Go down, Death, and bring her to me.

    Permalink to quote #22

  2. This Great God, Like a mammy bending over her baby, Kneeled down in the dust Toiling over a lump of clay Till He shaped it in His own image.

    Permalink to quote #21

  3. With his head in his hands, God thought and thought, Till he thought: I'll make me a man!

    Permalink to quote #20

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