Be thankful for the smallest blessing, and you will receive greater. Value the least gifts no less than the greatest, and simple graces as especial favors. If you remember the dignity of the Giver, no gift will seem small or mean, for nothing can be valueless that is given by the most high God.
Monday, April 28, 2008
The Dignity of the Giver
From Thomas à Kempis…
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2 comments:
Value ponderings of an appraiser:
"Value the least... no less than the greatest."
How can we value something considered least equal to something considered greatest? By very definition, one is least and one is greatest.
"Nothing can be valueless that is given by the most high God."
Can something be valueless?
Value with respect to whom? God? You? Me?
Is there an example of something NOT given by the most high God? Your claim implies that there is. In fact it requires that there is. If there is NOT an example of something NOT given by the most high God, then your phrase really is only saying, "Nothing can be valueless."
;)
Ben:
You seem to be dancing around what this man was saying, but perhaps just missing it.
He is definitely saying that all good things come from God, and so have value. So, yes, he is saying, "no good thing is without value."
Further, he is saying that we should not compare those gifts. When we receive the least gift from God, it is ingratitude to wish for something greater.
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