Popular Quotes

by John Hatcher (5/25/2019)

Hi all – Question… When you see a quote do you wonder where it came from? I don’t mean just who said it, or the environment they lived in, but how they came up with the underlying principle. Now most quotes are based on life experiences, but others are so profound that they become timeless. As for me, when I hear profound statements I always go back to scripture.

So over the next few weeks I am going to take a look at various quotes and where they can be found in scripture.

The first quote that caught my attention is from William Shakespeare (April 26, 1564 – April 23, 1616), an English poet, playwright and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's greatest dramatist.

Shakespeare said, and I quote: “If you can look into the seeds of time, and say which grain will grow and which will not, speak then unto me.”  in this quote he is putting critics and naysayers in their place.

There are a few places in the Bible that address this, both of which are attributed to King Solomon. The first is: “Since no one knows the future, who can tell someone else what is to come?” Ecclesiastes 8:7 (NIV), and the other is “Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth” Proverbs 27:1(NIV).

Both Shakespeare and King Solomon are addressing opinionated people and advising them to keep their unsubstantiated opinions to themselves.

I will leave you with this. Remember sow your own seeds and don’t tell others what to do with their seeds – unless asked. But in keeping with the seed theme, let’s talk about growth. Since we do not know which seeds will grow, then you should “sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good” Ecclesiastes 11:6. 

So hey, let’s get planting…