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It is often said that second thoughts are best. So they are in matters of judgment, but not in matters of conscience. In matters of duty, first thoughts are commonly best. They have more in them of the voice of God.

— John Henry Newman Parochial and Plain Sermons: Volume IV (1838)

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More quotes by John Henry Newman

In a higher world it is otherwise; but here below to live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often.

An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine (1845)

Good is never done except at the expense of those who do it: truth is never enforced except at the sacrifice of its propounders.

Lectures on the Present Position of Catholics in England (1851)

Nothing would be done at all, if a man waited till he could do it so well, that no one could find fault with it.

Lectures on the Present Position of Catholics in England (1851)

It is almost a definition of a gentleman to say he is one who never inflicts pain.

The Idea of a University (1873)

Where good and ill together blent,
Wage an undying strife.

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The greater part of humanity is too much harassed and fatigued by the struggle with want, to rally itself for a new and sterner struggle with error.

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The reasonable man adapts himself to the world: the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.

George Bernard Shaw Maxims for Revolutionists (1903)

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: John Henry Newman (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.