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To make everything yield to custom would be to do the greatest injustice. Were the judgments of mankind correct, custom would be regulated by the good. But it is often far otherwise in point of fact; for, whatever the many are seen to do, forthwith obtains the force of custom. But human affairs have scarcely ever been so happily constituted as that the better course pleased the greater number. Hence the private vices of the multitude have generally resulted in public error.

— John Calvin Institutes of the Christian Religion (1536)

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More quotes by John Calvin

There is also an old proverb, that they who pay much attention to the body generally neglect the soul.

We should never insult others on account of their faults, for it is our duty to show charity and respect to everyone.

We must resist wandering thoughts in prayer. Raising our hands reminds us that we need to raise up our minds to God, setting aside all irrelevant thoughts.

Institutes of the Christian Religion (1536)

It is easy to see how superstition, with its false glosses, mocks God, while it tries to please him.

Institutes of the Christian Religion (1536)

There is not one little blade of grass, there is no color in this world that is not intended to make men rejoice.

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