Morality And Free Will Quotes

“For the heavenly Logos, a spirit emanating from the Father and a Logos from the Logos-power, in imitation of the Father who begot Him made man an image of immortality, so that, as incorruption is with God, in like manner, man, sharing in a part of God, might have the immortal principle also. The Logos, too, before the creation of men, was the Framer of angels. And each of these two orders of creatures was made free to act as it pleased, not having the nature of good, which again is with God alone, but is brought to perfection in men through their freedom of choice, in order that the bad man may be justlypunished, having become depraved through his own fault, but the just man be deservedly praised for his virtuous deeds, since in the exercise of his free choice he refrained from transgressing the will of God. Such is the constitution of things in reference to angels and men. And the power of the Logos, having in itself a faculty to foresee future events, not as fated, but as taking place by the choice of free agents, foretold from time to time the issues of things to come; it also became a forbidder of wickedness by means of prohibitions, and the encomiast of those who remained good. And, when men attached themselves to one who was more subtle than the rest, having regard to his being the first-born, and declared him to be God, though he was resisting the law of God, then the power of the Logos excluded the beginner of the folly and his adherents from all fellowship with Himself. And so he who was made in the likeness of God, since the more powerful spirit is separated from him, becomes mortal; but that first-begotten one through his transgression and ignorance becomes a demon; and they who imitated him, that is his illusions, have become a host of demons, and through their freedom of choice have been given up to their own infatuation.”
― Tatian the Assyrian, Tatian's Address To The Greeks

“Selective morality is sinful.”
― Frank Sonnenberg, Listen to Your Conscience: That's Why You Have One

“Man grows used to everything, the scoundrel.”
― Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment

“you are of the size of an atom , compared to other planets and stars , yet, you were granted such thing as free will . doesn't that make any difference to you .”
― the morning sun

“Tater Tot is not a nickname," I snapped. "It's an insult, and you're welcome to have it."
"No." She shook her head, sending her straight hair over her shoulders in a glinting wave. "I'd need something else. Something to signify our deep connection."
I held in my gag admirably, but I found myself speaking without forethought. "How about 'Mirror'? Since you both love gazing into them."
As soon as I said it, I knew it was unkind. Sam's pretty face flushed bright pink, and she launched herself from the foot of my bed.
"Sam, I didn't mean---"
"No," she cut in sharply. "You said what you said. You know, Saint is right; you can't help but pick people apart."
"Excuse me while I choke on the irony," I shot back.
"Always with a joke," Sam said, even though I hadn't been joking. She crossed her arms over her chest. "Your problem is that you don't know how to play the game."
"The game? Life isn't a game."
"Bullshit. It always has been and always will be. Smile whether you want to or not; compliment the people in position to help you or have your back." She counted her points off on her fingers. "When everyone assumes you're the sweetest, most helpful or honest person in their world, they'll let you get away with anything."
"This is what you think I should be?" I cut in. "A fake schemer?"
Sam shrugged then. "Fake or not, it's how the most successful people get ahead. They plot, forge alliances, and they execute their plans."
"If that's success, then I want no part of it. I'd rather fail and have a conscience.”
― Kristen Callihan, Dear Enemy