Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
usefulness
English answer:
ability to carry out [one's] duty/ability to lead a useful life (here)
Added to glossary by
Rachel Fell
Sep 19, 2005 15:20
18 yrs ago
English term
usefulness
English
Art/Literary
Religion
19th century book about Christian mothers
He who can punish without sympathy, without emotions of sorrow, cannot punish with a right spirit. Even our Father in heaven does not willingly afflict his children. But does he on that account withhold his discipline, and allow us to go on in sin unpunished? We must, in earnest prayer, look to him for strength and wisdom, and unreservedly do our duty. We must be willing to have our own hearts bleed, if we can thus save our children from the ravages of those passions which, unchecked, will ruin their usefulness and peace!
Responses
| 4 +1 | ability to carry out their duty/work ( as good Christians) |
Rachel Fell
|
| 3 | better purpose |
Jeannie Graham
|
| 3 | become unable to function properly |
sergey (X)
|
Responses
+1
2 hrs
Rachel Fell
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
&
English
Works in field
United Kingdom
Thorough, knowledgeable and resourceful
Native in: English (Variant: UK) 
Works in: French to English, Spanish to English, Italian to English, and 4 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
12
Selected
ability to carry out their duty/work ( as good Christians)
passions were to be subdued and not allowed to get in the way of carrying out one's duties or trouble one's mind in frustration
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Elizabeth Rudin
: Yes, "ability to lead a useful life".
15 hrs
|
|
Yes, thank you Elizabeth
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "thanks!"
3 mins
Jeannie Graham
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
&
English
United Kingdom
Literary and medical translations
Native in: English
Works in: German to English, Persian (Farsi) to English, English, and 1 more.
better purpose
I think usefulness here is referring to passions being used for a better purpose or more appropriate purpose in lines with religious teaching, rather than being 'led astray' in the direction of other more non-religious passions!
7 mins
become unable to function properly
overwhelmed with those passions
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Note added at 9 mins (2005-09-19 15:29:46 GMT)
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overwhelmed BY those passions
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Note added at 27 mins (2005-09-19 15:47:56 GMT)
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i think 'usefullness and peace' refer to "our children" (not passions), passions are about the desire to punish without any sympathy and emotions of sorrow ... which in turn leads to 'out children' becoming 'basket cases' ...
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Note added at 9 mins (2005-09-19 15:29:46 GMT)
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overwhelmed BY those passions
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Note added at 27 mins (2005-09-19 15:47:56 GMT)
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i think 'usefullness and peace' refer to "our children" (not passions), passions are about the desire to punish without any sympathy and emotions of sorrow ... which in turn leads to 'out children' becoming 'basket cases' ...
Discussion