Over 40,000 Famous Quotes Sorted By Topic and Author

Feast of Lucy, Martyr at Syracuse, 304 Commemoration of Samuel Johnson, Writer, Moralist, 1784 O God, Who hast ordained that whatever is to be desired, should be sought by labor, and Who, by Thy blessing, bringest honest labor to good effect; look with mercy upon my studies and endeavors. Grant me, O Lord, to design only what is lawful and right, and afford me calmness of mind, and steadiness of purpose, that I may so do Thy will in this short life, as to obtain happiness in the world to come, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Commemoration of James Hannington, Bishop of Eastern Equatorial Africa, Martyr in Uganda, 1885 Continuing a short series on prayer: Madness frequently discovers itself merely by unnecessary deviation from the usual modes of the world. My poor friend Christopher Smart showed the disturbance of his mind, by falling upon his knees, and saying his prayers in the street, or in any other unusual place. Now although, rationally speaking, it is greater madness not to pray at all, than to pray as Smart did, I am afraid there are so many who do not pray, that their understanding is not called in question... I did not think he ought to be shut up. His infirmities were not noxious to society. He insisted on people praying with him; and I'd as lief pray with Kit Smart as any.

Feast of Lucy, Martyr at Syracuse, 304 Commemoration of Samuel Johnson, Writer, Moralist, 1784 Almighty and most merciful Father, I again appear in Thy presence the wretched misspender of another year which Thy mercy has allowed me. O Lord let me not sink into total depravity, look down upon me, and rescue me at last from the captivity of sin. Impart to me good resolutions, and give me strength and perseverance to perform them. Take not from me Thy Holy Spirit, but grant that I may redeem the time lost, and that by temperance and diligence, by sincere repentance and faithful obedience I may finally attain everlasting happiness, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Your manuscript is both good and original; but the part that is good is not original, and the part that is original is not good.

The usual fortune of complaint is to excite contempt more than pity.

Life cannot subsist in society but by reciprocal concessions.

The superiority of some men is merely local. They are great because their associates are little.

The lustre of diamonds is invigorated by the interposition of darker bodies; the lights of a picture are created by the shades; the highest pleasure which nature has indulged to sensitive perception is that of rest after fatigue.

Questioning is not the mode of conversation among gentlemen.

Tom Birch is as brisk as a bee in conversation; but no sooner does he take a pen in his hand, than it becomes a torpedo to him, and benumbs all his faculties.

His conversation does not show the minute hand; but he strikes the hour very correctly.

Bravery has no place where it can avail nothing.

To shake with laughter ere the jest they hear, To pour at will the counterfeited tear; And, as their patron hints the cold or heat, To shake in dog-days, in December sweat.

A cow is a very good animal in the field; but we turn her out of a garden.

Criticism, as it was first instituted by Aristotle, was meant as a standard of judging well.

The difference between coarse and refined abuse is the difference between being bruised by a club and wounded by a poisoned arrow.

Do not accustom yourself to consider debt only as an inconvenience; you will find it a calamity.

No degree of knowledge attainable by man is able to set him above the want of hourly assistance.

Some desire is necessary to keep life in motion, and he whose real wants are supplied must admit those of fancy.

What we hope ever to do with ease, we must learn first to do with diligence.