because life slips away, and because I need for the rest of my journey a star that will not play false to me, a compass that will not lie.
ALAN PATONbecause life slips away, and because I need for the rest of my journey a star that will not play false to me, a compass that will not lie.
ALAN PATONBut when the house is destroyed, there is something to do. About a storm he can do nothing, but he can rebuild a house.
ALAN PATONPain and suffering, they are a secret. Kindness and love, they are a secret.
ALAN PATONWhat broke in a man when he could bring himself to kill another?
ALAN PATONBut to punish and not to restore, that is the greatest of all offences.
ALAN PATONThen some unknown rebellion brewed in you, doing harm to you, though how I do not understand.
ALAN PATONThere are voices crying what must be done, a hundred, a thousand voices.
ALAN PATONBut perhaps when you were too obedient, and did not do openly what others did, and were quiet in church and hard-working at school.
ALAN PATONWhen a deep injury is done us, we never recover until we forgive.
ALAN PATONIt is not permissible to add to one’s possesions if these things can only be done at the cost of other men.
ALAN PATONOne day in Johannesburg, and already the tribe was being rebuilt, the house and soul being restored.
ALAN PATONFor our Lord suffered. And I come to believe that he suffered, not to save us from suffering, but to teach us how to bear suffering. For he knew that there is no life without suffering.
ALAN PATONWho knows for what we live, and struggle, and die?…
ALAN PATONI have never thought that a Christian would be free of suffering, umfundisi.
ALAN PATONIn the deserted harbour there is yet water that laps against the quays. In the dark and silent forest, there is a leaf that falls.
ALAN PATONFor fear will rob him of all if he gives too much.
ALAN PATON