Quotes about Control

This God expects people to be perfect and to be in perpetual control of their feelings and thoughts. When broken people with this concept of God fail—as inevitably they must—they usually expect punishment. So they persevere in religious practices as they struggle to maintain a hollow image of a perfect self. The struggle itself is exhausting. The legalists can never live up to the expectations they project on God.

The world says, "When you were young you were dependent and could not go where you wanted, but when you grow old you will be able to make your own decisions, go your own way, and control your own destiny." But Jesus has a different vision of maturity: It is the ability and willingness to be led where you would rather not go.

What makes the temptation of power so seemingly irresistible? Maybe it is that power offers an easy substitute for the hard task of love.

It seems easier to be God than to love God, easier to control people than to love people, easier to own life than to love life.

We have very little control over what happens in our lives, but we have a lot of control over how we integrate and remember what happens.

The problem, however, is that we not only want our freedom but also fear it.

As I reflect on this reality, it is clear that God is present in the events of my life, yet I act and speak as if I am in control.

What does education often do? It makes a straight-cut ditch of a free, meandering brook.

Public opinion is a weak tyrant compared with our own private opinion.

A wise man will not leave the right to the mercy of chance, nor wish it to prevail through the power of the majority.

Government is at best but an expedient; but most governments are usually, and all governments are sometimes, inexpedient.

I was never molested by any person but those who represented the State.