Discontent

“There are, indeed, two forms of discontent: one laborious, the other indolent and complaining. We respect the man of laborious desire, but let us not suppose that his restlessness is peace, or his ambition meekness. It is because of the special connection of meekness with contentment that it is promised that the meek shall 'inherit the earth.' Neither covetous men, nor the Grave, can inherit anything; they can but consume. Only contentment can possess.”—John Ruskin, Modern Painters, Volume V, part IX, Chapter XI (1860).

Discontent. As an adjective, Dictionary.com provides this definition: ”not content; dissatisfied; discontented.” This fairly describes how I have been feeling lately; mostly with myself, but I have also noticed a tendency to quickly lose patience and become discontent with the actions of other people in many situations. The worst part is, in my opinion, that I have too openly voiced this discontentment with others.

I am, however, not content feeling—or being—this way.

It was last night, while I was unable to sleep, that I came across the above quote from Ruskin. I also found this wise counsel in the Bible at 2 Timothy 2:22: “Pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace.” Ruskin also references the infamous Bible passage found at Psalm 37:11, which promises that “the meek ones themselves will posses the earth, and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.”

Certainly Ruskin's use of the words “meekness” and “meek” are similar to the Biblical use, meaning “showing patience and humility” (see the definition at Dictionary.com from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition).

Interestingly, Ruskin suggests a “special connection of meekness and contentment.” And both Ruskin and the Bible suggest a link between meekness and peace.

This has helped me to discern the vicious cycle of discontentment and impatience leading to an absence of inner peace leading to further discontentment and impatience.

While I sort out my discontent, impatience and inner peace, I will try to apply the advice of James, a half brother of Jesus Christ. He wrote under inspiration that a person who “does not bridle his tongue ... goes on deceiving his own heart.” (James 1:26) Or, as Mark Twain more humorously said, “It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt.”

Next, I will explore the feelings I've been pondering for some time that I am someone who “can but consume.”