Quotes about External

IRENE observes, 'That the Supreme Being will accept of virtue, whatever outward circumstances it may be accompanied with, and may be delighted with varieties of worship: but is answered, that variety cannot affect that Being, who, infinitely happy in his own perfections, wants no external gratifications; nor can infinite truth be delighted with falsehood; that though he may guide or pity those he leaves in darkness, he abandons those who shut their eyes against the beams of day.

In discussing the subject of free will, the question is not, whether external obstacles will permit a man to execute what he has internally resolved, but whether, in any matter whatever, he has a free power of judging and of willing.

By the word letter Paul means preaching which is external and does not reach the heart; by Spirit he means teaching which is alive, which works mightily in the souls of men by the grace of the Spirit. Letter

Happiness seems to require a modicum of external prosperity.

If our history has taught us anything, it is that action for change directed against the external conditions of our oppressions is not enough.

A church that focuses on the external has lost its passion for souls.

Safety from external danger is the most powerful director of national conduct.

I would almost describe spirituality as a concern for one's being, one's inner motivation and attitude, one's real inner Source, as opposed to any primary concern for one's "doing." Doing will always take care of itself when your being is right. It is our preoccupation with external forms and successes that makes us superficial, judgmental, split off and often just downright wrong—without knowing it.   god

If we really want to achieve true prayer, we must turn our backs upon everything temporal, everything external, everything that is not divine.

Discipline imposed from the outside eventually defeats when it is not matched by desire from within.

No external experience will support us, because the flux of events is inescapable. Note: from the introduction written by Chopra in The Wisdom of Insecurity by Alan Watts.

There is but one way to tranquility of mind and happiness, and that is to account no external things thine own, but to commit all to God.