If you don’t find God in the next person you meet, it is a waste of time looking for him further.

This quote implies that God, or the divine, is not a distant entity to be sought in far-off places or abstract concepts, but rather can be found within every person we meet. It suggests that every individual carries a spark of divinity within them and that recognizing this divine essence in others is an essential part of spiritual growth.

The quote also speaks to the importance of empathy and compassion in our interactions with others. If we approach each person as though they embody the divine, it changes how we perceive and treat them. We become more understanding, tolerant, and kinder towards them because we see them as sacred beings rather than just ordinary people.

Applying this idea today could transform both societal relationships and personal development. In a world often divided by differences such as race, religion or political views, seeing the ‘divine’ in others could foster unity and mutual respect. When we recognise everyone’s inherent worthiness – their ‘godliness’ – it becomes harder to justify prejudice or discrimination.

In terms of personal development, this concept encourages self-growth through empathy and connection with others. By seeking out the divine in those around us – especially those who are different from us – we broaden our perspectives and learn to appreciate diversity. This can lead to greater emotional intelligence which is key for personal growth.

Moreover, if one considers ‘finding God’ as discovering virtues like love, compassion or kindness then these qualities are most easily found when interacting with others; hence why looking further would be futile if you fail to see God (i.e., these virtues) in people around you.