Neal A. Maxwell wrote: “Whenever selfishness flexes, it victimizes. It bullies empathy and generosity, just as when pride pulsates, pushing away graciousness and meekness. The more we move away from submission to God, the more submissive we become, instead, to the selfish, natural man.
In contrast, because self has been tamed and gentled, keeping the two great commandments brings a flowering of empathy, mercy, loving kindness, patience, meekness, generosity, purity, graciousness and truthfulness.
Unlike submissiveness, permissiveness—at the end of its journey—stands empty, limp, and mute, trailing its awful consequences. Permissiveness assumes agency comes without responsibility, as if gravity were suspended; it then hopes that the judgments of God will be suspended.” ~Neal A. Maxwell, The Journey of Discipleship (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2003), p.115-16
