Clergyman Quotes

I perceive two things in Scotland of the most fearful omen: ignorance of theological truth, and a readiness to pride themselves in and boast of it.

I have thoroughly gone through the subject of the Incarnation; and if it served you, could at any time give you the history from the beginning of the controversies on this subject, and of its present form.

TO fear God, is one of the first and greatest Duties of his rational Creatures.

To comprehend the Wisdom of this Injunction the better, and explain the Duty before us, it should be considered, that Government is the only Means by which human Happiness can be attained.

THIS Duty implies that we should affectionately interest ourselves in whatever concerns the Honour, the Fame and Security of our Sovereign and his Government.

That some Forms of Government are preferable to others, cannot be doubted; yet neither our Saviour, nor his Apostles have decided where that Preference is due.

LET us honour the King by cherishing respectful Sentiments concerning him; speaking of him with Affection, with Esteem and Reverence; and by promoting a like Spirit and Conduct in others.

IT may be proper to observe further, that this Duty is not confined to those who live under any one particular Form of Government: It extends to the Subjects of all regular States, lawfully established.

It is the Band which unites the Interests of Individuals; it secures to them their respective Rights, and preserves them from Injuries; it is the Source of numberless Blessings, which are interrupted, or wholly vanish, the Moment it is disturbed.

If notwithstanding, a Rebellion of the same Kind now afflicts this Country, we should not infer that this Institution is useless, or should be laid aside; but just the Reverse.

All the dark, malevolent Passions of the Soul are roused and exerted; its mild and amiable affections are suppressed; and with them, virtuous Principles are laid prostrate.

A State infinitely worse than that which the most inflamed Zealot, the most violent Republican or Enthusiast even pretended to dread before the Rebellion commenced.

A Failure in this Duty did once involve our Nation in all the Horrors of Rebellion and Civil War.

To become a popular religion, it is only necessary for a superstition to enslave a philosophy.

The enemies of freedom do not argue; they shout and they shoot.

Many people believe that they are attracted by God, or by Nature, when they are only repelled by man.

In dealing with Englishmen you can be sure of one thing only, that the logical solution will not be adopted.

I have never understood why it should be considered derogatory to the Creator to suppose that he has a sense of humour.

A man may build himself a throne of bayonets, but he can't sit on it.

Public opinion, a vulgar, impertinent, anonymous tyrant who deliberately makes life unpleasant for anyone who is not content to the average person.

Literature flourishes best when it is half a trade and half an art.

I think middle-age is the best time, if we can escape the fatty degeneration of the conscience which often sets in at about fifty.

Every institution not only carries within it the seeds of its own dissolution, but prepares the way for its most hated rival.

Consciousness is a phase of mental life which arises in connection with the formation of new habits. When habit is formed, consciousness only interferes to spoil our performance.

Events in the past may be roughly divided into those which probably never happened and those which do not matter.

No Christian can be a pessimist, for Christianity is a system of radical optimism.

Prayer gives a man the opportunity of getting to know a gentleman he hardly ever meets. I do not mean his maker, but himself.

It is astonishing with how little wisdom mankind can be governed, when that little wisdom is its own.

There are no rewards or punishments - only consequences.

Originality is undetected plagiarism.