+ What doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his own soul?

Question

Where's this quote from, and what does it mean to you?

Answer 1

Mark 8:36-37

I think it helps to read biblical passages in several translations, from older more conservative ones as well as modern, less formal ones.

"For what doth it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life? For what should a man give in exchange for his life?" [American Standard Version]

"What will you gain, if you own the whole world but destroy yourself? What could you give to get back your soul?" [Contemporary English Version]

"What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?" [Eugene Peterson, The Message]

To gain the whole world would be to have everything one wants, materially and temporally.

To lose one's soul, or one's very self, would be to lose one's own individual values or sense of identity, or to deny the spiritual essence of being.

You asked what it means to me personally. Here, as best I can say it, is my answer to that: Loving my wife and children, loving my work, loving my democratic country, loving the beauty of our natural environment--these have always been more important to me than becoming wealthy or indulging in purely selfish pleasure. Fortunately, I have been richly blessed with material things and personal pleasure, but I would gladly, eagerly give all that up to preserve what are inner, genuine values to me; such as, family, my work, a democratic society, the beauty of nature.

Blessings!

Answer 2

it is likewise written that the best sin is the affection of money. in reality as an occasion they stated before we would have undesirable hurricanes if we cut back down the Rain Forests. So in all probability some US proper massive business company went down cut back down the rain wooded area and saved each and every of the useful needed wood to assistpersistent up the fees. Then we've had a growing to be sort of undesirable hurricanes and alot of those wealthy business company human beings owned best genuine components here on the Florida coast line and a few have even lost their lives. What is going around comes around. there became into no longer any earnings found out in the long-term even people who're after earnings will go through and gain what they stitch.

Answer 3

It's from the New Testament, spoken by Jesus. To me it means that the things of the world - material wealth, luxuries, power, are not real, they will turn to dust. To live in mindfulness and with conscience (ie self knowledge based on awareness and reflection upon our emotions, thoughts, actions) is to create a soul - something we all have the potential to create but which for most never happens. Often it is the most wealthy and powerful who are the most dead inside, cut off from the true ground of their being and lost in worldly illusions. What happens if we do create a soul? If any of us does I guess that is when we will find out. In the meantime please don't believe that YOU have, for: 'strait is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to eternal life' (roughly paraphrased).

I am not a Christian but I recognise the truth in many of Jesus' sayings and teachings. Truth is not so easily won.

Answer 4

It is from the book of Mark in the Bible. Mark 8: 36
Without the preceding and following verses, this verse is a little hard to truly understand. Jesus is asking what is the point if you are the richest person in the world, if you are lost and going to hell.

Answer 5

It is a quote from the Bible [Mark 8:36].

It basically means not to risk your immortal soul for ill-gotten gains.

Answer 6

i can't remember exactly where the quote is from...but what it means to me is toremember not to harden your hard and lose you soul to greed and pure selfishness. that love, family, friendship and all giving to other people are what makes this world a great place...not the money and wars, but the very heart of the worlds peoples.

Answer 7

Sounds like a biblical commentary concerning George W. Bush.

Answer 8

not sure...maybe Faust?
its pretty clear that it means nothing is worth your soul....the best things in life are free.....and that you cannot or should not sell YOURSELF short.

Yourself is worth more than anything...like even a cool- A s s car and lots of chicks!

Answer 9

mark 8:36
next line: For what will a man give in exchange for his life?

Answer 10

The Bible. To me it means what good does it do me to have money,power etc.. and loose my spirit and things that matter more-family,friends,satisfaction etc.. Peace.