Though you see a Church-man ill, yet continue in the Church still.
This quote, “Though you see a Church-man ill, yet continue in the Church still” by George Herbert, emphasizes the idea that one should not abandon their beliefs or faith based on the actions of a single individual. The ‘Church-man’ here is representative of any person who is part of an organization or belief system. If they behave poorly or immorally (‘ill’), it does not necessarily reflect on the entire community or institution.
The quote encourages us to separate individuals from institutions and ideologies. It suggests that just because one person within an organization behaves badly, it doesn’t mean that the entire organization is corrupt or worthless. It’s essentially about not letting your perception of a group be tainted by one bad apple.
Applying this concept in today’s world could involve any context where we are part of larger communities – be it religious organizations, workplaces, social clubs, political parties etc. For instance, if we witness dishonesty or corruption within our workplace by one employee, rather than resigning immediately out of disillusionment with the company as a whole; we could choose to stay and work towards improving things from within.
In terms of personal development too this idea holds value as it encourages resilience and discernment – two key attributes necessary for growth and progress in life. It reminds us not to hastily judge situations based on isolated incidents but rather take time to understand them holistically before making decisions.
In essence this quote teaches us about maintaining faith in our chosen paths despite encountering occasional disappointments along the way; reminding us that perfection is unattainable and flaws are inevitable even within institutions we hold dear.