Benjamin Whichcote Quotes

We never better enjoy ourselves than when we most enjoy God.

Among politicians the esteem of religion is profitable; the principles of it are troublesome.

Truth is not only a man's ornament but his instrument; it is the great man's glory, and the poor man's stock: a man's truth is his livelihood, his recommendation, his letters of credit.

The judge is nothing but the law speaking.

None are so empty as those who are full of themselves.

Only madmen and fools are pleased with themselves; no wise man is good enough for his own satisfaction.

The government of man should be the monarchy of reason: it is too often the democracy of passions or the anarchy of humors.

The Devil often finds work for them who find none for themselves.

When we do any good to others, we do as much, or more, good to ourselves.

A benefactor is a representative of God.

None more deceive themselves than they who think their religion is true and genuine, thought it refines not their spirits and reforms not their lives.

Entrance into Heaven is not at the hour of death, but at the moment of conversion.

A wise man will not communicate his differing thoughts to unprepared minds, or in a disorderly manner.

He that would have the perfection of pleasure must be moderate in the use of it.

Fear is the denomination of the Old Testament; belief is the denomination of the New.

It is altogether as worthy of God and as much becoming Him to pardon and show mercy, in case of repentance and submission and reformation, as to punish, in case of impenitency and obstinacy.

Ah! when in the immortal ranks enlisted, I sometimes wonder if we shall not find That not by deeds, but by what we've resisted, Our places are assigned.

A guilty mind can be eased by nothing but repentance; by which what was ill done is revoked and morally voided and undone.

All is not done when we have spoken to God by prayer; our petitions are to be pursued with real endeavours.

Religion is ... being as much like God as man can be.

Let us all so live as we shall wish we had lived when we come to die; for that only is well, that ends well.

The most that any of us know, is the least of that which is to be known.

Some things must be good in themselves, else there could be no measure whereby to lay out good and evil.

There is no better way to learn than to teach.

Believe things, rather than man.

There is nothing more unnatural to religion than contentions about it.

Modesty and humility are the sobriety of the mind, as temperance and chastity are of the body.

No men stand more in fear of God than those who most deny Him.

None are known to be good, till they have opportunity to be bad.

He that useth his reason doth acknowledge God.

Either be a true friend or a mere stranger: a true friend will delight to do good--a mere stranger will do no harm.

Some are Atheists by Neglect; others are so by Affectation; they, that think there is no God at some times; do not think so at all times.

He that repents is angry with himself; I need not be angry with him.

No man is greatly jealous who is not in some measure guilty.

Man is a wonder to himself; he can neither govern nor know himself.

Right and truth are greater than any power, and all power is limited by right.

None can do a man so much harm as he doeth himself.

Conscience is ... the God dwelling in us.

Such an explication of Grace as sets men at liberty in morals, makes void the Law through Faith.

Virtue is the health, true state, natural complexion of the Soul.

A good man's life is all of a piece.

He that neither knows himself nor thinks he can learn of others is not fit for company.

Conscience without judgment is superstition.

That power is in vain which is never in use.

It is hypocrisy for man to make any other use of his religion, or the credit of it, than to sanctify and save his soul.

Whoever despiseth shame, despiseth sin.

Let not a man's self be to him all in all.

If a man will be righteous and equal, let him see, with his neighbour's eyes, in his own case; and with his own eyes, in his neighbour's case.

God imposeth no Law of Righteousness upon us which He doth not observe Himself.

Repentance doth alter a man's case with God: and therefore repentance should alter the case between one man and another.