It is as absurd to argue men, as to torture them, into believing.
To the irreligious person heaven would be hell.
With Christians, a poetical view of things is a duty. We are bid to color all things with hues of faith, to see a divine meaning in every event.
It is almost a definition of a gentleman to say that he is one who never inflicts pain.
Calculation never made a hero.
Knowledge is one thing, virtue is another.
There is such a thing as legitimate warfare: war has its laws; there are things which may fairly be done, and things which may not be done.
To be deep in history, is to cease to be Protestant.
Let us put ourselves into His hands, and not be startled though He leads us by a strange way, a mirabilis via, as the Church speaks. Let us be sure He will lead us right, that He will bring us to that which is, not indeed what we think best, nor what is best for another, but what is best for us.
There is in stillness oft a magic power To calm the breast when struggling passions lower, Touched by its influence, in the soul arise Diviner feelings, kindred with the skies.
Literature stands related to Man as Science stands to Nature; it is his history.
Good is never accomplished except at the cost of those who do it, truth never breaks through except through the sacrifice of those who spread it.
To discover and to teach are distinct functions; they are also distinct gifts, and are not commonly found united in the same person.
I shall drink to the Pope, if you please, still, to conscience first, and to the Pope afterwards.
Reason is one thing and faith is another and reason can as little be made a substitute for faith, as faith can be made a substitute for reason.
Religion indeed enlightens, terrifies, subdues; it gives faith, it inflicts remorse, it inspires resolutions, it draws tears, it inflames devotion, but only for the occasion.
Lead, kindly light, amid the encircling gloom, lead thou me on.
All men have a reason, but not all men can give a reason.
Living Nature, not dull art Shall plan my ways and rule my Heart.
Such is the constitution of the human mind, that any kind of knowledge, if it be really such, is its own reward.
It is very difficult to get up resentment towards persons whom one has never seen.