Every nation makes decisions based on self-interest and defends them on the basis of morality.
William Sloane CoffinThe one true freedom in life is to come to terms with death, and as early as possible, for death is an event that embraces all our lives. And the only way to have a good death is to lead a good life. The more we do God's will, the less unfinished business we leave behind when we die.
William Sloane CoffinWhen a man is drowning, it may be better for him to try to swim than to thrash around waiting for divine intervention.
William Sloane CoffinIt is not because we have value that we are loved, but because we are loved that we have value. Our value is a gift, not an achievement.
William Sloane CoffinIn life you can either follow your fears or be led by your values, by your passions.
William Sloane CoffinIt's too bad that one has to conceive of sports as being the only arena where risks are, [for] all of life is risk exercise. That's the only way to live more freely, and more interestingly.
William Sloane CoffinJesus is both a mirror to our humanity and a window to divinity, a window revealing as much of God as is given mortal eyes to see. When Christians see Christ empowering the weak, scorning the powerful, healing the wounded, and judging their tormentors, we are seeing transparently the power of God at work.
William Sloane CoffinLove measures our stature: the more we love, the bigger we are. There is no smaller package in all the world than that of a man all wrapped up in himself.
William Sloane CoffinOf God's love we can say two things: it is poured out universally for everyone from the Pope to the loneliest wino on the planet; and secondly, God's love doesn't seek value, it creates value. It is not because we have value that we are loved, but because we are loved that we have value. Our value is a gift, not an achievement.
William Sloane Coffin