“Orthodoxy is a relaxation of the mind accompanied by a stiffening of the heart.”
A Voice Crying in the Wilderness (Vox Clamantis in Deserto) (1990)
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Edward Abbey 146
American author and essayist 1927–1989Related quotes
“Turn off your mind, relax, and float downstream.”
A tweet on his Holy Rascals @rabbirami Twitter account, Oct 4 2017
“Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.”
Sect. IV : The Practicability of something being done, more than what is done, for the Conversion of the Heathen.
An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians (1792)
Context: The Missionaries must be men of great piety, prudence, courage, and forbearance; of undoubted orthodoxy in their sentiments, and must enter with all their hearts into the spirit of their mission; they must be willing to leave all the comforts of life behind them, and to encounter all the hardships of a torrid, or a frigid climate, an uncomfortable manner of living, and every other inconvenience that can attend this undertaking. … They must be very careful not to resent injuries which may be offered to them, nor to think highly of themselves, so as to despise the poor heathens, and by those means lay a foundation for their resentment, or rejection of the gospel. They must take every opportunity of doing them good, and labouring, and travelling, night and day, they must instruct, exhort, and rebuke, with all long suffering, and anxious desire for them, and, above all, must be instant in prayer for the effusion of the Holy Spirit upon the people of their charge. Let but missionaries of the above description engage in the work, and we shall see that it is not impracticable.
It might likewise be of importance, if God should bless their labours, for them to encourage any appearances of gifts amongst the people of their charge; if such should be raised up many advantages would be derived from their knowledge of the language, and customs of their countrymen; and their change of conduct would give great weight to their ministrations.
On Tranquility of the Mind
“Just sort of relax your mind and say yes, it does hurt, I know. Don't try and shut it out.”
Source: The Subtle Knife
“If relaxed means limp, don't worry about it. I'm relaxed. I'm relaxed all over.”
The Spy in the Ointment (1966)
Context: The cops are after me, I'm on my way to join an organization of lunatics and bombers, I'm wired for sound, my necktie turns into a smokescreen, my handkerchief will make you throw up, my Diner's Club card explodes, I'm the leader of a subversive terrorist organization composed entirely of undercover federal agents, newspapers all over the country are saying I killed my girl, and I'm on my way to meet a twenty-five-year-old Nazi built like Bronco Nagurski. If relaxed means limp, don't worry about it. I'm relaxed. I'm relaxed all over.
The small god in Ch. 44 : the visitor
The Visitor (2002)