Thomas Powell

“Leisure cannot be achieved at all when it is sought as a means to an end, even though that end be “the salvation of Western civilization”. Celebration of God in worship cannot be done unless it is done for its own sake. That most sublime form of affirmation of the world as a whole is the fountainhead of leisure.”
― Josef Pieper, Leisure: The Basis of Culture

“So especially ask yourself: what is my concern for the glory of God in my life? How much am I led by concern for my own comfort and feeling of well-being? Do I witness out of enjoyment of God? Do I love people—not just on the mission field, but people? Am I willing to imitate the Good Shepherd and die for them? Do I really know the power of the Holy Spirit as I daringly witness? Do I really confront the lost with heaven and hell? Am I repenting regularly?”
― C. John Miller, The Heart of a Servant Leader: Letters from Jack Miller

“On one occasion St. Thomas speaks of contemplation and play in the same breath: “because of the leisure that goes with contemplation” the divine wisdom itself, Holy Scripture says, is “always at play, playing through the whole world”(Prov 8:30f.).”
― Josef Pieper, Leisure: The Basis of Culture

“Ithilien, the garden of Gondor now desolate kept still a dishevelled dryad loveliness.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers