Category — Shakespeare Quotes

Contentment is like a double-edge sword. In life we need to work hard to achieve and better ourselves, and so if I am content I might not have the drive to do so. But if I am solely focused on my goals and aspirations I may forget to appreciate my current blessings and never be at peace. So true contentment requires a balance to be happy where you are, and to trust in where you are going. The result of such a balance is a crown of peace, or as it is said in today’s quote – you will have a crown called “content”.

“My crown is called content: A crown it is that seldom kings enjoy.” – William Shakespeare, King Henry VI

We find this quote in Shakespeare’s King Henry VI, and although it has a sense of wisdom to it, it is not really Biblical. The words in this play were spoken by a deposed King Henry who had an encounter while wandering the countryside. He was simply stating that he was content not being the king, and that such contentment was not afforded a king who invariably has much responsibility and care. So what does the Bible say about contentment?

The Apostle Paul has a famous passage about being content, where he says that he knows how to be exalted and how to be abased, how to be both full and how to be hungry. His point: ”Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content”. (Philippians 4:11 NJKV). Yes, Paul had learned the secret of true contentment and how to balance the seeming contradiction that being content presents. And that secret is no secret at all; it is faith.

Like Paul of old, we can walk that same path of contentment today. He has taught us that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, and in that he is referring to the small things and the great things. This is how we can be content: have trust that God is with you today in your current circumstance, and that He holds your tomorrow in His hands. In this you can be happy for today and aspire for tomorrow in contentment.

So as we trust in the Lord, today we can wear a crown that is called content, and tomorrow we can wear the crown of eternal life. Be still, that is content, and know that He is God. And if you have the chance, Philippians 4 is a great read.

See more William Shakespeare quotes.

Today is another Father’s Day, seems like we just celebrated last year’s – how the time goes by fast. That’s the subject of today’s Bible or Not post. It has been said that it is a wise father who knows his own children, and I would agree with that. But what does that have to do with the time going by fast?

“It is a wise father that knows his own child.” – William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice

The relationship between father and child is one that can easily be taken for granted. As you raise your children you might spend time with them, but much of that time is in the daily hustle and bustle and making a living, running around, teaching and disciplining, and the like. And before you know it they are grown up and out of the house.

On this Father’s Day let’s spend the time to get to know our children better, but let’s not stop there. Even in the times of our busy days, the good days and the bad days, we can take the time, however little it may seem, to know them better each day. And while we’re at it, perhaps we should let them know us a little better as well. Happy Father’s Day!

If you missed last year’s Father’s Day post we listed a number of Father’s Day Bible Verses. Also, if you like today’s quote, you might like to see more William Shakespeare quotes.

The idea of moral relativism has been around for centuries, if not millenia. What’s good for you is good for you, what’s bad for me is bad for me. We can all do whatever we want, there is no good and no bad, only how we perceive it or think about it in our minds. There is no black or white, only gray.

“For there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” – William Shakespeare – Hamlet

Moral Relativism: Definition: 1) The philosophy or belief that there is no absolute value of right or wrong, and that correct moral behavior is personalized to the individual and varies based upon that person’s culture, experience and circumstances. 2) Moral Relativism can also be applied to whole societies allowing for different moral values and laws to vary based upon geographic location (i.e. country, state, city, village). 3) The opposite of Moral Relativism is Moral Absolutism which is the belief that there are immutable moral laws of right and wrong that should be applied to all people regardless of location, culture, experience and circumstances.

In the Bible the Apostle Paul states in his writings to the Corinthians, “All things are lawful unto me”. So is he agreeing with the idea of moral relativism?

This quote by Paul is admittedly taken out of context. We read this quote in chapters 6 and 10 of 1 Corinthians, and in both of these chapters Paul is admonishing for and counselling from committing sin. Clearly as we read the Bible we find that there are clear commandments to obey and clear behaviors that are sinful. Yes, there are absolutes when it comes to the laws of God.

So why then would Paul write that all things are lawful to him? Let’s look at the full verse: “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being. Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; for the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” – i Corinthians 10:23-25 NKJV. Paul was talking about food.

In the Gospel, there are things that are essential – the immutable laws of God – and things that are non-essential – the traditions and customs of people. The Corinthians had blurred the lines between these and began justifying clear sin by pointing at the customs of others. For example, there were both Jews and Gentiles in the church, and the Jews ate a kosher diet while the Gentiles did not – eating different foods did not make the Gentiles sinners. Paul was making it clear, that for the essentials there should be unity and obedience, and for the non-essentials there should be liberty. So when in Rome, do as the Romans do, as long it is not sinful – and yes, we can absolutely know what sin is.