John Lancaster Spalding Quotes

Solitude is unbearable for those who can not bear themselves.

To view an object in the proper light we must stand away from it. The study of the classical literatures gives the aloofness which cultivates insight. In learning to live with peoples and civilizations that have long ceased to be alive, we gain a vantage point, acquire an enlargement and elevation of thought, which enable us to study with a more impartial and liberal mind the condition of the society around us.

Rules of grammar can not give us a mastery of language, rules of rhetoric can not make us eloquent, rules of conduct can not make us good.

Let not what thou canst not prevent, though it be the ruin of thy home or country, draw thee from thy proper work.

Education would be a divine thing, if it did nothing more than help us to think and love great thoughts instead of little thoughts.

They who can no longer unlearn have lost the power to learn.

What matter that the man stands for much I cannot love—the moment he touches the realms of truth he enters my world and is my friend.

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

Those subjects have the greatest educational value, which are richest in incentives to the noblest self-activity.

The weak, when they have authority, surround themselves with the weak. It is, indeed, a vice of rulers that men who have exceptional ability and worth are offensive to them, since they whose greatness is due to their position find it difficult to love those whom inner power makes great.

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

There are faults which show heart and win hearts, while the virtue in which there is no love, repels.

The study of law is valuable as a mental discipline, but the practice of pleading tends to make one petty, formal, and insincere. To be driven to look to legality rather than to equity blurs the view of truth and justice.

Liberty is more precious than money or office; and we should be vigilant lest we purchase wealth or place at the price of inner freedom.

Obedience is not servility. On the contrary the servile are never rightly obedient.