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John Lancaster Spalding Quotes

1840–1916 United States

John Lancaster Spalding (June 2, 1840 – August 25, 1916) was the first bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peoria from 1877 to 1908, a notable scholarly writer of the time and, a co-founder of The Catholic University of America.

United States
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Random John Lancaster Spalding quote

197 quotes

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

Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)

Since the mass of mankind are too ignorant or too indolent to think seriously, if majorities are right it is by accident.

Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)

The disinterested love of truth which culture fosters is akin to the unselfishness which is a characteristic of the good.

Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)

To think profoundly, to seek and speak truth, to love justice and denounce wrong is to draw upon one’s self the ill will of many.

Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)

Perfection is beyond our reach, but they who earnestly strive to become perfect, acquire excellences and virtues of which the multitude have no conception.

Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)

To clothe truth in fitting words is to feel a satisfaction like that which comes of doing good deeds.

Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)

In the world of thought a man’s rank is determined, not by his average work, but by his highest achievement.

Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)

If ancient descent could confer nobility, the lower forms of life would possess it in a greater degree than man.

Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)

The doctrine of the utter vanity of life is a doctrine of despair, and life is hope.

Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)

If thy friends tire of thee, remember that it is human to tire of everything.

Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)

Each individual bears within himself an ideal man, and to bring him forth in perfect form is his divinely imposed life-work.

Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)

Inferior thinking and writing will make a name for a man among inferior people, who in all ages and countries, are the majority.

Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)

The pessimist writes over the gates of life what the poet has inscribed on the portals of hell—”Abandon hope, ye who enter here.”

Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)

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

Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)

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.

Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)

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.

Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)

Place before thyself the ideal of perfection, not that of happiness, for by doing what makes thee wiser and better, thou shalt find the peace and joy in which happiness consists.

Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)

The genius is childlike. Like children he looks into the world as into a new creation and finds there a perennial source of wonder and delight.

Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)

Altruism is a barbarism. Love is the word.

Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)

We may outgrow the things of children, without acquiring sense and relish for those which become a man.

Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: John Lancaster Spalding (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.