Tryon Edwards Quotes

Right actions for the future are the best apologies for wrong ones in the past – the best evidence of regret for them that we can offer, or the world receive.

He that is possessed with a prejudice is possessed with a devil, and one of the worst kind of devils, for it shuts out the truth, and often leads to ruinous error.

Credulity is belief on slight evidence, with no evidence, or or against evidence. In this sense it is the infidel, not the believer, who is credulous. 'The simple,' says Solomon, 'believeth every word.'

The prejudiced and obstinate man does not so much hold opinions, as his opinions hold him.

There is often as much independence in not being led, as in not being driven.

Always have a book at hand, in the parlor, on the table, for the family ; a book of condensed thought and striking anecdote, of sound maxims and truthful apothegms. It will impress on your own mind a thousand valuable suggestions, and teach your children a thousand lessons of truth and duty. Such a book is a casket of jewels for your household.

Contemplation is to knowledge, what digestion is to food – the way to get life out of it.

The certainty of punishment, even more than its severity, is the preventive of crime.

Deference is the instinctive respect which we pay to the great and good. The unconcious acknowledgement of the superiority or excellence of others.

Anxiety is the rust of life, destroying its brightness and weakening its power. – A childlike and abiding trust in Providence is its best preventive and remedy.

Science has sometimes been said to be opposed to faith, and inconsistent with it. But all science, in fact, rests on a basis of faith, for it assumes the permanence and uniformity of natural laws – a thing which can never be demonstrated.

Abuse of any one generally shows that he has marked traits of character. The stupid and indifferent are passed by in silence.

Temperance is to the body what religion is to the soul, the foundation and source of health and strength and peace.

Sin with the multitude, and your responsibility and guilt are as great and as truly personal, as if you alone had done the wrong.

People never improve unless they look to some standard or example higher and better than themselves.