John Edgar Wideman Quotes

Remorse is impotent; it will repeat its faults. Repentance only is a true force; it puts an end to everything.

Repentance for past crimes is just and easy; but sin-no-more's a task too hard for mortals

True penance consists in regretting without ceasing the faults of the past, and in firmly resolving to never again commit that which is so deplorable.

I think guilt is directional. You should get rid of it, but the way to get rid of it is not to get rid of the guilt feelings. It is to get rid of the wrong that you did that caused the guilt feelings.

The tempter or the tempted, who sins most?

Sins cause harm and repentance removes the cause

Be ashamed when you sin, not when you repent.

The weakest man is the one who is able to correct his moral defects, but doesn't take action.

While forbidden fruit is said to taste sweeter, it usually spoils faster.

Remorse is impotence, impotence which sins again. Repentance alone is powerful; it ends all.

We need to ask God for forgiveness and do all we can to correct whatever harm our actions may have caused. Repentance means a change of mind and heart—we stop doing things that are wrong, and we start doing things that are right. It brings us a fresh attitude toward God, oneself, and life in general.

Remorse is impotence; it will sin again. Only repentance is strong - it can end everything.

Every one goes astray, but the least imprudent are they who repent the soonest.

I'm sure I have a lot to atone for, if there is a judgment day. It's gonna be a long list for me. It goes right up until I was about 18, and then I sort of straightened out.

Brethren, it is easier to declaim against a thousand sins of others, than to mortify one sin in ourselves.

I was living a complete lie. But unfortunately, guilt doesn't make you stop.

Strive to attain to the greater virtues, but do not neglect the lesser ones. Do not make light of a fall even if it be the most venial of faults; rather, be quick to repair it by repentance, although many others may commit a large number of faults, slight and grievous, and remain unrepentant.

I did a lot of things that I regretted and I certainly paid for my mistakes. You have to go and ask for forgiveness and it wasn't until I really started doing good and doing right, by other people as well as myself, that I really started to feel that guilt go away. So I don't have a problem going to sleep at night.

If the history of the Day of Atonement has anything to say to us now it is: never relieve individuals of moral responsibility. The more we have, the more we grow.

Begin thus from the first act, and proceed; and, in conclusion, at the ill which thou hast done, be troubled, and rejoice for the good.

Temptation is as old as time; or at least, the history of temptation extends as far back as the moment Eve gave Adam that serpent's apple. But what sets the lady apart from the tramp is the ability to acknowledge she needs to clean up her act - and then, of course, the fact that she actually does clean up her act.

Mistakes you can learn from; sins stay with you forever.

While early childhood experiences may impel, they do not compel. In the end, evil is a matter of choice.

The better day, the worse deed.

The confession of evil works is the first beginning of good works.