Tryon Edwards Quotes

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

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

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.

Sinful and forbidden pleasures are like poisoned bread; they may satisfy appetite for the moment, but there is death in them at the end.

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.

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

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

Hell is truth seen too late — duty neglected in its season.

Any act often repeated soon forms a habit : and habit allowed, steadily gains in strength. — At first it may be but as the spider’s web, easily broken through, but if not resisted it soon binds us with chains of steel.

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.

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

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

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

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.'

The great end of education is, to discipline rather than to furnish the mind ; to train it to the use of its own powers, rather than fill it with the accumulation of others.