If you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time, you know I like to collect quotations. I’ve been doing this since I was in high school. In fact, every time I read a book, I put a few 3 X 5 file cards in it–in case I run into a good quote. If I do, I’ll copy it down on one of my cards. As a result, I have literally thousands of quotes stored alphabetically in nine file card boxes. Below are 20 quotations I picked out for you that I found under the letter “C.” I hope some of these speak to your heart today.
1. I’ve got many quotations under catechesis, the way we hand on our religion or faith to others. I often cross reference these with evangelization. Here’s my favorite definition: Catechesis or evangelization “is one beggar telling another beggar where he found bread.” (D. T. Niles)
2. “Never doubt that a small group of people can change the world. Indeed it’s the only thing that ever has. (Margaret Mead)
3. “Character is what you are in the dark.” (Dwight Moody)
4. “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character give him power.” (Abraham Lincoln)
- Correction: I just learned that the above quote is misattributed to Lincoln. It was possibly said by the American politician Robert Ingersoll ABOUT Lincoln. Ingersoll was the 16th Attorney General of Illinois. Interestingly, his nickname was “The Great Agnostic.”
5. “A grownup is a child with layers on.” (Woody Harrelson)
6. Children ask good questions. “A woman was telling her granddaughter the Christmas story. The little girl asked, ‘Why did Mary and Joseph have to go to a stable?” The grandmother said, “Because there was no room in the inn, and they needed shelter.” The little girl asked, “Why didn’t they go to Grandma’s?”
7. “Would you be any different if Christ did not exist?” (Anthony de Mello)
8. “Christianity can never be a merely pleasant or consoling religion. It is a stern business. It is concerned with salvation through sacrifice and love of a world in which, as we can all see now, evil and cruelty are rampant. Its supreme symbol is the crucifix—the total and loving self-giving of a man to the redeeming purposes of God.” (Evelyn Underhill. She, a British writer, wrote these words while enduring the Blitzkrieg in England during World War II)
9. “Coincidences are spiritual puns.” (G.K. Chesterson)
10. “Compassion is the chief law of human existence.” (Fyodor Dostoevsky)
11. “Compassion is the willing disposition to enter into the chaos of another.” (James F. Keenan. He cites Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan as an example.)
12. “The compassionate life is the life of downward mobility.” (Henry Nouwen)
13. Community: “Mitakuye Oyasin is the Lakota belief that says, ‘We are all related.'”
14. Community (solidarity): “Love needs someone else. Joy is something shared. Peace is mediated. Patience is interactive. Generosity is towards. These communal activities have no reality except with another.” (Cedric Mayson)
15. “Our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal.” (John F. Kennedy’s commencement address at American University on June 10, 1963. Some historians say it was the most important speech on war and peace of his presidency.)
16. “Compromise is the glue of relationships.” (Dr. John Gottman)
17. “Confidence never comes from having all the answers; it comes from being open to all the questions.” (Earl Gary Stevens)
18. “Courage does not always roar. Sometimes it is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, “I will try again tomorrow.” (Peter Sheridan)
19. “The opposite of courage isn’t only fear but security.” (Sue Monk Kidd)
20. Writer/artist Julia Cameron has written extensively about creativity. She posted this sign in her writing area: “Dear God, I will take care of the quantity. You take care of the quality.”
For reflection:
Did any quotation stand out for your today? If so, which one(s)? Do you know why?
Do you have a favorite quote that would fit under any of the C words above? Would you like to share it below? (By doing this, you might add another card in my file!)
Do you have a favorite quote that focuses on any other C word? Again, would you like to share it with us below?
PS: Raffle Reminder: I am raffling off THREE signed copies of my new book, Sunflower Seeds of Hope. All you have to do to enter is to write a comment below. If you have written a comment anytime since Feb. 10, your name has already been entered in the raffle. Everyone gets ONE chance no matter how many comments you’ve written. The contest ends this Friday, Feb. 28 at midnight. Winners will be announced next Monday, March 3.
I looked for a song that focuses on one the C words above. I found “The Compassion Hymn” by Keith and Kristyn Getty. The song is really a prayer to our compassionate God. Dostoevsky says compassion is “the chief law of human existence.” Compassion also plays a pivotal role in both the life and teachings of Jesus. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to love others with the compassion of Jesus.
I welcome your comments below…
66 Responses
Nine file card boxes of quotes. Amazing! Cooking is a C word that immediately comes to mind. Cooks need recipes. Effective teachers and writers lead their students and readers by providing excellent resources for their topics. Thanks for sharing a handful of your note cards with us. #19 made me think of another opposite of courage: complacency.
I love the common link quote by John F Kennedy. It is so important to remember as we navigate the difficulties in the world today. Thank you for sharing these. They are all amazing to meditate on. I tend to save quotes that are meaningful to me in the moment too. It is fun to go back to them and ponder again. Mine aren’t as organized though! Thank you.
CHANGE: “Consider how hard it is to change yourself and you’ll understand what little chance you have in trying to change others.” Jacob M. Braude
This is a great quote, so true….
Good morning, Sr. Melannie…
Good morning, all…
“A grownup is a child with layers on.” Always knew he’s a great actor, but a philosopher too? Woody’s words will stay with me all day!
Good morning everyone. My C quote comes from a self-help book entitled Atomic Habits by James Clear.
Change: “…by changing one small thing for the better you can change the trajectory of your life.”
Coincidences are spiritual puns by G K Chersterton is my favorite. Thanks Sr. Melannie for a bright start to the day.
The quote from JFK, and Sheridan speak volumes. My sister battled cancer, she was the strongest person I knew. Nanc was courageous to the end.
God Bless.
I look forward to starting my week with your thoughts and reflections.
Thank you….
Sue Monk Kidd (your 19th quote) wrote an audacious historical novel, The Book of Longings, in which her main character, Ana who lives in Galilee in the time of Christ, actually marries Jesus. The novel is done with great respect and spiritual insight, giving a very human life to Jesus. Worth reading.
The Lakota belief, “Community – we are all related”. We still haven’t figured this out…, but with Compassion and Courage and Compromise and Character and always with Christ, we will.
“Compassion is the willing disposition to enter into the chaos of another.” (James F. Keenan.)
I never thought about this before but it was how we lived our lives. Speaking up for those who have no voice.
The Religious Education Congress in CA this past weekend was on Compassion. Love this song – – – thank you.
I love #16 compromise is the glue of relationships. So true. I have tried to teach my children this by my example. The boys get it! The girls, not so much. I’ll keep trying.
I love the quote about community from JFK. In my travels throughout the world, I’ve seen the same humanness everywhere.
As a fellow quote saver, I also got a special joy from your choice of the letter C
to share about today. Thank you.
Blessings, Catherine😊
Good morning all,
Today is my birthday, so my ‘C’ word is ‘Celebrate’! Sooo many blessings…God’s love, mercy, care, and compassion shown everyday in so many ways. The big benefit of growing older is having and taking the time to realize how very blessed we are! Thank you, Lord…and thank you, Sr. Melannie.
Happy Birthday!! “CELEBRATE” — I love it 🩷 Celebrate life, every bit of it bc it made you who you are
Hello, Everyone!
Here is a quote about change from Barack Obama…”Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”
Thank you for all you do, Sister Melannie. You are a treasure!
I, too, have a collection of quotes but mine are in a big fat notebook. I like your filing system better, Sister.
Thank you for the inspirations which I desperately needed this morning.
Good morning, Sister.
The quotes on character (3 & 4) are the ones that resonate with me. I feel in today’s world of “proof” needed for everything, the importance of a person’s character has gotten lost. What happened to a handshake sealing a commitment and “my word is my honor”? It seems we are losing civility and civilization. Light bulb moment – there are two more C words!
Have a wonder day and week.
I do love the format of the letters. I welcome more letters
My “C” word is cousins. They are so much a part of me. They uplift me when I am down and I can do the same with them. We are a community with similar features and together we can lift up others.
CAUSES: No drug not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If we’re looking for the source of our troubles, we shouldn’t test people for drugs, we should test them for: stupidity, ignorance, greed and love of power. —- P.J. O’ Rourke, writer, ( b. 14 Nov. 1947).
This, I truly believe the causes of the chaos, turmoil, pain , suffering that are very hard to endure, day by day. Have mercy, on us dear Lord, humble sinners.
Thank you, Sister Melannie, you are a candle in the darkness of our suffering humanity.
Love all the reflective C word quotes, especially JFK’s about our common link. Something I’ve been reflecting on a lot lately with realizing it. If only all in the world would think about what links all humanity instead of what divides. I save a lot of quotes too but like a few others expressed, not quite as organized as you do Melannie. The compassion song is beautiful, thanks for sharing.
Hope is not as comfortable as certainty.
Thanks for sharing a portion of your collection!
Hello Melannie, Wow, this is so cool, I love the title of your new book and the image of the sunflowers, one of my favorite flowers. Can’t wait to see and read the book. I will wait to see if I win a copy of your new book before I order it…Many blessings to you this day and congratulations on your work.
Much peace and thanks for sharing this blog every Monday. Such a pick me up…two of my favorite C words are COMPASSION and CONFIDENCE…they truly help my Faith remain strong.
Sr. Marty Dermody, SC
Thank you so much for your inspirational writing. I always feel comforted after I read it.
I love your keeping quotes what a great idea. The one that resonants with me most today is “Confidence never comes from having all the answers; it comes from being open to all the questions.” (Earl Gary Stevens) I will be doing a talk tomorrow and I know this one was meant for me! Always a God moment…
Have a wonderful week. Cindy
All of these are wonderful, I would find it VERY difficult if Jesus had not come…
and YES, COURAGE IS CONTAGIOUS…great one,
THANKS FOR ALL YOU GIVE OF YOURSELF
16. “Compromise is the glue of relationships.” (Dr. John Gottman)
I found in my marriage that compromising often brought peace. Conversely, I’ve seen relationships come “unglued” because someone refused to compromise.
I was just sent this link from a family member. So glad that they thought I would like it!!!!! ThankYou….
Thank you, Sister Melanie. You always help to enlarge my thoughts and world!
Thank you, S. Melanie. Courage is my word these days I pray for it daily and a quote I found
is: “Courage is fear that has said it’s prayers and decided to go forward anyway.” by Joyce Meyer. Our world needs much prayer these days, I also pray for HOPE.
Great quotations- especially Compassion by Keenan.
Thank you Sr Melannie, I look forward to your blog each Monday.
God bless,
Sheelagh
I liked #1 and #3 the best.
I’ll subscribe again but I think I’m already subscribed.
Thank you for “C”ommunicating so beautifully with us every Monday.
And Happy Birthday, Mary.
Community: Following my brother’s death, one sister who knew Mike well said to me, “He knew no stranger.” This was how he lived his life. I often think of the possibilities for our world if each of us could do the same.
Thank you Sr Melannie. This quote could also be said of you as well!
My favorite: Would you be different if Christ did not exist? (Anthony de Mello)
I also save quotes. Mine are in a binder and each Monday I share one of these with a dear friend. I call it my Quote for the week. Found one out of my binder that I would like to share with you.
Conversion is uncomfortable and hard and never quite finished. (Peter Dwyer)
Thank you Sister for always bring joy to all our lives.
I really liked the quote from the child about grandparents — why didn’t the Holy Family go to grandmas? Grandparents can make even the saddest day full of joy for little ones. Blessings to you, Sister, for sharing such meaningful topics.
I have 17 1/2 journals of quotations since 1968. Its fun to go back and see whst interested me all those years ago. How about this : CHARACTER is a journey, not a destination. Bill Clinton
I love #5 about a grownup. Some layers so thick they are hard to peel. Having been a grade school teacher all my life and. now in retirement caring for the elderly I can see my own layers and often shed them back to my child ones that had to be shed often when I taught kids.
I love quotes too and have many. I don’t have a C one off the top of my head but one of my favorites when going through 2 cancer journey’s and which I still say every day is:
“Hope rises with the sun; don’t forget it is even behind the clouds.” Author unknown.
Found it in a magazine in 1997!
I also love “Be kind, Be kind, Be kind” by Mother Teresa
God’s blessing to you and have a wonderful week.
Sr. Melanie, I became familiar with with you through a women’s spirituality group in Mount Prospect . Your simple, but powerful messages resonate with me. I am sharing a “C” quote with you that one of the seniors created. It’s brilliant.
“Common sense is no longer common.” Charlie H.
I loved the story of the child saying “Why didn’t they go to Grandmas house! Out of the mouth of babes.
I so look forward to your blog each week Sr Melanie. It always brings me such joy and Hope especially during these difficult times!
Many Blessings!🙏🏻
I like #1, the definition of Catechesis and Evangelization is so true! What an awesome way to think about sharing our faith!
They are all wonderful but….# 13- The Lakota saying…’We are all related”, resonated.
I have ‘Some” Native American in my blood, as many of us Americans do and I donate to a school for Lakota children so they hold a special place in my heart, as all children so ….
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we all treated each other as family?
Sr. Melannie — Your blog is a bright spot in my life. Thank you.
Great quotes!! Thank you for all the shares. My C word is Connection. Such an important concept in all aspects of life; especially in Community & Spirituality during this broken & isolating time of chaos & uncertainty.
I liked the quote on confidence (#17). As a recovering perfectionist, I especially have to remember be open to the questions, especially at this time of my life and this time in our country and world. I was also pleased to be reminded of the quiet courage quote (#18). I think of all the quiet heroes that keep trying to do what needs to be done–they give me hope!
Nine file boxes of quotes since high school! I’m gobsmacked. I collect quotes also but certainly not is such an organized way. I jot them on pieces of papers and years later I’ll open an old book and the quote falls out. I love the quote about creativity.
Thanks Sr. Melannie from Australia. What fantastic inspiration on the day you decided to collect good quotes!
So much compassion is needed in our precious world today. So many afflicted nations…So many afflicted living beings.
I have always appreciated Thomas Merton’s definition of Compassion as ” a keen
awareness of the interdependence of all living beings, which are all part of one another,
and all involved in one another.”
I loved seeing “creativity” on this list—your blog is a work of art! I’m now curious about whether or not you have a “curiosity” quote in your box. I feel that this is what propels us forward many times (at least this is true for me). Thank you for this!
Thank you so much for all of this, Melannie! I especially loved the quote about Lincoln , that how we use power really shows who we are and that the opposite of courage is security. I feel that especially fits for us religious who may want to speak out against the injustices we see today but are afraid of how many donors we will lose! Bless you!
Thank you sister
I absolutely love this Sister! I too am a quote hoarder, I send my daughters and family a text every morning, you have filled my tank with goodness, God Bless you!
Amen, Amen, Amen!
Courage is contagious and we must all stand up for justice and compassion.
Thanks for these quotes I resonated with the child’s suggestion that they go to Grandma’s. Here is one for Christmas but it could just as easily be Easter.
“I will light candles this Christmas,
Candles of joy despite all sadness,
Candles of hope where despair keeps watch,
Candles of courage for fears ever present,
Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days,
Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens,
Candles of love to inspire all my living,
Candles that will burn all year long.”
–Howard Thurman
I love the way you have collected quotes and have a file system for them. I only wish that I was that organized, mine are in several notebooks with no rhyme or reasons to them. Sometimes, the biggest life lessons and inspirations can begin with a simple quotes. I look forward to each Monday to read your blog and find inspiration for the week ahead. May you be blessed with God’s many blessings.
Sister Melannie,
You deserve another C word – Congratulations, your blog contains contagious words and phrases for our week(s) ahead. Thank you for all you do.
Culture
A quote in the book 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory
“ for thousands of years a person who refused to acknowledge reality was considered a denialist and mentally ill. Today you can deny reality and be celebrated as enlightened. Is that not a sign that the CULTURE itself is very sick indeed.”
Sounds like our current culture today
Courage does not always roar…….I’ll try again tomorrow. Speaks to me!
Thank you for sharing these!
The index cards and key words are such a such a great idea.
Number 11 by Keenan really resonated with me.
Here’s one that could be filed a few different ways…
Gratitude and attitude are not challenges; they are choices. Robert Braathe
19. “The opposite of courage isn’t only fear but security.” (Sue Monk Kidd)
Sr. Melanie, I feel such a connection to you since I was taught from 4th to 8th grade by the Sisters of Notre Dame of Cleveland. I’m reading your book Hanging on to Hope for the second time. There’s so much cruelty in the world and unfortunately in our own country right now that I’m trying desperately to hold on to hope myself. I am filled with compassion, almost consumed with it, for the many victims of cruelty. Thank you for helping me cope and believe that light, love, and goodness will prevail.
Another C quote —
“Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried.” G.K. Chesterton
Beautiful, inspiring quotes! They each are a prayer and meditation. Thanks for the uplifting gems to carry me through this overwhelming time.
I loved the quote by Father Anthony deMello – “Would you be any different if Christ did not exist? That is so thought provoking. I will have to think about that for sure.