"As we had no part of our will on our entrance into this life, we should not presume to any on our leaving it, but soberly learn to will which He wills"
- William Drummond
About this Quote
William Drummond's quote explores themes of humility, death, and lining up one's desires with a greater will or magnificent plan. At its core, the message ponders the nature of human presence and the restricted control people have over their own lives.
The preliminary part of the quote, "As we had no part of our will on our entryway into this life", indicates the idea that none of us had control over our birth. Our arrival into the world was not an outcome of our own decision; rather, it was an event beyond our impact. This underscores the concept of life's arbitrariness and how we are subject to circumstances that predate our own deliberations and choices.
Transitioning into the next segment, "we must not presume to any on our leaving it", Drummond suggests that simply as we had no say in our coming into existence, we must likewise not assume full control over our departure from life. This can be interpreted as an acknowledgment of the inevitability of death and a pointer of our minimal rule over life's supreme course. It discourages any hubristic tendencies to master or predict completion of our journey, encouraging acceptance of life's natural progression.
The conclusion, "but soberly learn to will which He wills", brings a spiritual measurement into play. Here, Drummond advises a modest alignment with a higher will-- most likely conjuring up the divine. It recommends that rather than exerting our restricted human will aggressively, we need to strive to balance our desires with those of a higher cosmic or magnificent order. Using the word "soberly" indicates a thoughtful and earnest technique, urging us to let go of egocentric desires and to cultivate an understanding and approval of a larger plan beyond our own understanding.
In essence, Drummond's quote welcomes reflection on the limits of human control and the knowledge of accepting a higher purpose or divine will, cultivating humility and acceptance in the face of life's fundamental uncertainties.
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