John Lancaster Spalding Quotes

Few know the joys that spring from a disinterested curiosity. It is like a cheerful spirit that leads us through worlds filled with what is true and fair, which we admire and love because it is true and fair.

Taste, of which the proverb says there should be no dispute, is precisely the subject which needs discussion.

If the young are watched too closely, if they are kept habitually under surveillance, the spring of action is weakened, the power of initiative is destroyed, and they become mediocre, commonplace, mechanical men and women, from whom nothing excellent or distinguished may be expected. Parents and teachers … must so deal with the young as to bring them little by little under the control of reason and conscience; and in this, nothing thwarts more surely than excessive supervision, for it draws attention from the inner view and voice to the eyes of the watchers. It may cultivate a love of decency and propriety, but not the creative feeling that we live with God and that righteousness is life.

States of soul rightly expressed, as the poet expresses them in moments of pure inspiration, retain forever the power of creating like states. It is this that makes genuine literature a vital force.

There are who mistake the spirit of pugnacity for the spirit of piety, and thus harbor a devil instead of an angel.

If thou hast sought happiness and missed it, but hast found wisdom instead, thou art fortunate.

What is greatly desired, but long deferred, gives little pleasure, when at length it is ours, for we have lived with it in imagination until we have grown weary of it, having ourselves, in the meanwhile, become other.

The exercise of authority is odious, and they who know how to govern, leave it in abeyance as much as possible.

If we are disappointed that men give little heed to what we utter is it for their sake or our own?

Mercenary is whoever thinks less of his work than of the money he receives for doing it; and social conditions which impose tasks that make this inevitable are barbarous.

Whom little things occupy and keep busy, are little men.

Exercise of body and exercise of mind are supplementary, and both may be made recreative and educative.

What we enjoy, not what we possess, is ours, and in labouring for the possession of many things, we lose the power to enjoy the best.

If thy friends tire of thee, remember that it is human to tire of everything.

It is the business of culture to make us able to consider with intelligent interest all real opinions, even those we do not and can not accept.