Tryon Edwards Quotes

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

We should be as careful of the books we read, as of the company we keep. The dead very often have more power than the living.

This world is the land of the dying ; the next is the land of the living.

Whatever the place allocated us by providence, that is for us the post of honor and duty. – God estimates us not by the position we are in, but by the way in which we fill it.

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.

Facts are God’s arguments : we should be careful never to misunderstand or pervert them.

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

Fables, like parables, are more ancient than formal arguments and are often the most effective means of presenting and impressing both truth and duty.

Preventives of evil are far better than remedies; cheaper and easier of application, and surer in result.

The first evil choice or act is linked to the second ; and each one to the one that follows, both by the tendency of our evil nature and by the power of habit, which holds us as by a destiny. – As Lessing says, 'Let the devil catch you but by a single hair, and you are his forever.'

Compromise is but the sacrifice of one right or good in the hope of retaining another – too often ending in the loss of both.

The highest attainment, as well as enjoyment of the spiritual life, is to be able at all times and in all things to say, 'Thy will be done.'

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.

Some men are born old, and some never seem so. If we keep well and cheerful we are always young, and at last die in youth, even when years would count us old.

True humility is not an abject, groveling, self-despising spirit ; it is but a right estimate of ourselves as God sees us.