“Our forefather Adam... used his freedom to turn toward what was worse and to direct his desire away from what had been permitted to what was forbidden. It was in his power 'to be united to the Lord and become one spirit with God...' (I Cor. 6:15). But Adam was deceived and chose to cut himself off voluntarily from God's happy end for him, preferring by his own free choice to be drawn down to the earth (cf. Gen. 2:17) than to become God by grace.” EndsEarthChristianUsedSpiritDesireTurnsChoicesUnitedLordGraceCuttingDirectOrthodoxAdamForbiddenDeceivedForefathersCfsFree Choice Author:Maximus the Confessor
“Adam Smith was not a big fan of the pursuit of fame and fortune. His view of what we truly want, of what really makes us happy, cuts to the core of things. It takes him only twelve words to get to the heart of the matter: Man naturally desires, not only to be loved, but to be lovely.” MenWantHeartMatterBigsDesireViewsCuttingFansFameFortuneCorePursuitLovelyAdamTwelve Book:How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life: An Unexpected Guide to Human Nature and Happiness Source: How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life: An Unexpected Guide to Human Nature and Happiness
“Allah, the Exalted, gave the angels intellect without desires, He gave the animals desires without intellect, and He gave both to the sons of Adam. So a man whose intellect prevails over his desires is better than the angels, whilst a man whose desire prevails over his intellect is worse than the animals.” MenDesireAnimalSonAngelIntellectAdamExalted Author:Ali ibn Abi Talib
“St. Augustine teaches us that there is in each man a Serpent, an Eve, and an Adam. Our senses and natural propensities are the Serpent; the excitable desire is the Eve; and reason is the Adam. Our nature tempts us perpetually; criminal desire is often excited; but sin is not completed till reason consents.” MenReasonDesireNaturalSinTeachExcitedCriminalsSensesTemptationAdamConsentSerpentPropensityAugustine Book:Thoughts of Blaise Pascal Source: Thoughts of Blaise Pascal