#benevolence

Omnipotent-benevolent simply means that God is all-powerful and well-meaning.' 'I understand the concept. It's just . . . there seems to be a contradiction.' 'Yes. The contradiction is pain. Man's starvation, war, sickness . . .' 'Exactly!' Chartrand knew the camerlengo would understand. 'Terrible things happen in this world. Human tragedy seems like proof that God could not possibly be both all-powerful and well-meaning. If He loves us and has the power to change our situation, He would prevent our pain, wouldn't He?' The camerlengo frowned. 'Would He?' Chartrand felt uneasy. Had he overstepped his bounds? Was this one of those religious questions you just didn't ask? 'Well . . . if God loves us, and He can protect us, He would have to. It seems He is either omnipotent and uncaring, or benevolent and powerless to help.' 'Do you have children, Lieutenant?' Chartrand flushed. 'No, signore.' 'Imagine you had an eight-year-old son . . . would you love him?' 'Of course.' 'Would you let him skateboard?' Chartrand did a double take. The camerlengo always seemed oddly "in touch" for a clergyman. 'Yeah, I guess,' Chartrand said. 'Sure, I'd let him skateboard, but I'd tell him to be careful.' 'So as this child's father, you would give him some basic, good advice and then let him go off and make his own mistakes?' 'I wouldn't run behind him and mollycoddle him if that's what you mean.' 'But what if he fell and skinned his knee?' 'He would learn to be more careful.' The camerlengo smiled. 'So although you have the power to interfere and prevent your child's pain, you would choose to show your love by letting him learn his own lessons?' 'Of course. Pain is part of growing up. It's how we learn.' The camerlengo nodded. 'Exactly. ↗

— Dan Brown

#faith #god #omnipotence #paradox #religion

Benevolence alone will not make a teacher, nor will learning alone do it. The gift of teaching is a peculiar talent, and implies a need and a craving in the teacher himself. ↗

— John Jay Chapman

#benevolence #craving #gift #himself #implies

Oddly my name has been no professional help at all! It seems to have made no difference. I admire him hugely, both for his benevolence and his enormous psychological perception. ↗

— Joanna Trollope

#been #benevolence #both #difference #enormous

A monarchy conducted with infinite wisdom and infinite benevolence is the most perfect of all possible governments. ↗

— Ezra Stiles

#conducted #governments #infinite #monarchy #most

General benevolence, but not general friendship, made a man what he ought to be. ↗

— Jane Austen

#friendship #general #made #man #ought

Let the professors of Christianity recommend their religion by deeds of benevolence - by Christian meekness - by lives of temperance and holiness. ↗

— Richard Mentor Johnson

#christian #christianity #deeds #holiness #lives

To ease another’s heartache is to forget one’s own. ↗

— Abraham Lincoln

#charity #public-service #volunteerism #service

Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others. Unsuccessful people are always asking, "What's in it for me? ↗

— Brian Tracy

#greed #life #wisdom #life

When virtue is lost, benevolence appears, when benevolence is lost right conduct appears, when right conduct is lost, expedience appears. Expediency is the mere shadow of right and truth; it is the beginning of disorder. ↗

— Lao Tzu

#beginning #benevolence #conduct #disorder #expedience

You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you. ↗

— John Bunyan

#charity #compassion #generosity #helping-others #today