Lower Propensities to Be Under Control—“We are laborers together with God” (1 Corinthians 3:9). Man is to work out his own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God that worketh in him both to will and to do of His good pleasure. God gives man physical and mental powers. None are needless. Not one is to be misused or abused. The lower propensities are to be kept under control of the higher powers.—Letter 139, 1898. (2MCP 377.2) MC VC

Utter Failure When Copying Others—The man who seeks to pattern after any man’s character will make an utter failure. Each person is to look to God for himself, to trade with conscientious fidelity upon the talents God has given him. “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12, 13). It is in you, brother, in you; not in another for you. You are to have an individual experience. Then you will have rejoicing in yourself, and not in another.—MS 116, 1898. (2MCP 427.1) MC VC

Each Mind Has Its Peculiar Strength—I am pained to see the little value placed upon men whom the Lord has used and whom He will use. God forbid that every man’s mind shall follow in the channel of another man’s mind. One man’s mind may be, by some, exalted as being in every degree superior, but every mind has its peculiar weakness and its peculiar strength. One man’s mind will supply another man’s deficiency. But if all work in the one harness and are given encouragement to look, not to men to know their duty, but to God, they will develop under the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and will work in unity with their brethren. One will supply another’s lack.—Lt 50, 1897. (2MCP 427.2) MC VC

Not to Shape Other Minds—God has given to every man an individual responsibility. “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Philippians 2:12, 13. Man is not to work out any other man’s salvation. He is not to become the transcript of any man’s mind. He is required to act in his capacity according to the ability God has given him. No man, whatever his experience, whatever his position, is to feel that he accomplishes a wonderful work when he fashions and shapes the mind of any human being after his own mind and teaches him to voice the sentiments he may express. This has been done again and again to the detriment of human beings.—MS 116, 1898. (2MCP 427.3) MC VC