Bible -- Matthew 7:15-16 [NRSV]
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? The Bible...
View ArticlePlato -- The Republic, 7.514
Those who are destitute of philosophy may be compared to prisoners in a cave, who are only able to look in one direction because they are bound, and who have a fire behind them and a wall in front....
View ArticleCarlyle, Thomas -- Quoted by Joseph Neuberg in a letter to his sister (12 Jan...
If Jesus Christ were to come today, people would not even crucify Him. They would ask Him to dinner, and hear what He had to say, and make fun of it. Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881) Scottish essayist and...
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Mencken, H.L. -- “What I Believe,” sec. 2, Forum and Century (Sep 1930)
The principle is surely not new in the world: everyone ought to know by this time that a mountebank, thinking only of tomorrow’s cakes, is far safer with power in his hands than a prophet and martyr,...
View ArticleBroun, Heywood -- New York World (6 Feb 1928)
Another fine quotation from WIST - Wish I'd Said That! . Just as every conviction begins as a whim so does every emancipator serve his apprenticeship as a crank. A fanatic is a great leader who is just...
View ArticleEmerson, Ralph Waldo -- “Lecture on the Times,” Boston (2 Dec 1841)
There comes now and then a bolder spirit, I should rather say, a more surrendered soul, more informed and led by God, which is much in advance of the rest, quite beyond their sympathy, but predicts...
View ArticleHalifax, George Savile, Marquis of -- “Experience,” Political, Moral, and...
The best Qualification of a Prophet is to have a good Memory. George Savile, Marquis of Halifax (1633-1695) English politician and essayist“Experience,” Political, Moral, and Miscellaneous Reflections...
View ArticleButler, Samuel -- Further Extracts from the Note-Books of Samuel Butler, ch....
Reforms and discoveries are like offenses; they must needs come, but woe unto that man through whom they come. Samuel Butler (1835-1902) English novelist, satirist, scholarFurther Extracts from the...
View ArticleBible -- Matthew 7:18–20 (KJV)
A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their...
View ArticleShakespeare, William -- Henry IV, Part 1, Act 1, sc. 2, l. 94ff [Hal] (1597)
Wisdom cries out in the streets, and no man regards it. William Shakespeare (1564-1616) English dramatist and poetHenry IV, Part 1, Act 1, sc. 2, l. 94ff [Hal] (1597)
View ArticleBible, vol. 1, Old Testament -- Isaiah 30:10-11
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” The Bible (The Old Testament) (14th - 2nd C BC) Judeo-Christian sacred...
View ArticleHand, Learned -- Speech (1955-01-29), “A Fanfare for Prometheus,” American...
Nor need we be surprised that men so often embrace almost any doctrines, if they are proclaimed with a voice of absolute assurance. In a universe that we do not understand, but with which we must in...
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