Tryon Edwards Quotes

American theologian

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Tryon Edwards (7 August 1809 - 4 January 1894) was an American theologian, author. and minister of the Second Congregational Church in New London, Connecticut, from 1845 to 1857, after having served in Rochester, New York.

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Alternative Names: EDWARDS, TRYON, REV. • Rev. Dr. Edwards • REV. TRYON EDWARDS

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Deviation from either truth or duty is a downward path, and none can say where the descent will end. – 'He that despiseth small things shall fall by little and little.'

Thoughts lead on to purposes ; puposes go forth in actions ; actions form habits ; habits decide character ; and character fixes our destiny.

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

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

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.'

Most controversies would soon be ended, if those engaged in them would first accurately define their terms, and then adhere to their definitions.

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

We never do evil so thoroughly and heartily as when led to it by an honest but perverted, because mistaken, conscience.

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

Between two evils, choose neither; between two goods, choose both.

Never be so brief as to become obscure.

Have something to say ; say it ; and stop when you’ve done.

The leaves in autumn do not change color from the blighting touch of frost, but from the process of natural decay. They fall when the fruit is ripened, and their work is done. And their splendid coloring is but their graceful and beautiful surrender of life when they have finished their summer offering of service to God and man. And one of the great lessons the fall of the leaf teaches is this : Do your work well, and then be ready to depart when God shall call.

The desires and longings of man are vast as eternity, and they point him to it.

Prejudices are rarely overcome by argument; not being founded in reason they cannot be destroyed by logic.