Others, who have the common amount of charity and have not yet grown in grace to this extent, but are guided by their own reason, struggle and strive all day against their sins in order to acquire virtues. Like wrestlers, they are sometimes on top, and sometimes underneath. Such people are doing well. They acquire virtues through their own reason and will, but not because they love and delight in virtue, for they have to exert all of their energy to overcome their natural instincts in order to possess them. Consequently they never enjoy true peace or final victory. They will receive a great reward, but they are not yet sufficiently humble. They have not yet put themselves wholly into God's hands, because they do not yet see Him.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Hilton describes people who fight sin through reason and willpower but lack true peace because they do not love virtue.
- In plain terms
- Fighting sin with willpower is good but does not bring peace without loving virtue.
- What can you take from it?
- True peace comes from loving virtue, not just forcing yourself to do good.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is willpower enough for change?
- Do you act out of love?
Another view
It overlooks the difficulty of changing deep-seated habits without initial struggle.
More from Walter Hilton
I desire the love of God not because I am worthy, but because I am unworthy.
Permalink to quote #9 One who loves God retains this humility at all times, not with weariness and struggle, but with pleasure and gladness.
Permalink to quote #11 What is humility but truthfulness? There is no real difference.
Permalink to quote #8
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