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Nothing requires so little mental effort as to narrate or follow a story. Hence everybody tells stories and the readers of stories outnumber all others.
John Lancaster Spalding
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John Lancaster Spalding
Age: 76 †
Born: 1840
Born: June 2
Died: 1916
Died: August 25
Author
Biographer
Catholic Priest
Lebanon
Kentucky
Others
Tells
Stories
Requires
Littles
Mental
Little
Follow
Nothing
Reader
Narrate
Effort
Outnumber
Everybody
Hence
Story
Readers
More quotes by John Lancaster Spalding
The noblest are they who turning from the things the vulgar crave, seek the source of a blessed life in worlds to which the senses do not lead.
John Lancaster Spalding
We are not masters of the truth which is borne in upon us: it overpowers us.
John Lancaster Spalding
The first requisite of a gentleman is to be true, brave and noble, and to be therefore a rebuke and scandal to venal and vulgar souls.
John Lancaster Spalding
To secure approval one must remain within the bounds of conventional mediocrity. Whatever lies beyond, whether it be greater insight and virtue, or greater stolidity and vice, is condemned. The noblest men, like the worst criminals, have been done to death.
John Lancaster Spalding
The world is chiefly a mental fact. From mind it receives the forms of time and space, the principle of casuality[sic], color, warmth, and beauty. Were there no mind, there would be no world.
John Lancaster Spalding
Few know the joys that spring from a disinterested curiosity. It is like a cheerful spirit that leads us through worlds filled with what is true and fair, which we admire and love because it is true and fair.
John Lancaster Spalding
They who can no longer unlearn have lost the power to learn.
John Lancaster Spalding
We are made ridiculous less by our defects than by the affectation of qualities which are not ours.
John Lancaster Spalding
Those subjects have the greatest educational value, which are richest in incentives to the noblest self-activity.
John Lancaster Spalding
Altruism is a barbarism. Love is the word.
John Lancaster Spalding
When we know and love the best we are content to lack the approval of the many.
John Lancaster Spalding
They who see through the eyes of others are controlled by the will of others.
John Lancaster Spalding
To think of education as a means of preserving institutions however excellent, is to have a superficial notion of its end and purpose, which is to mould and fashion men who are more than institutions, who create, outgrow, and re-create them.
John Lancaster Spalding
As children must have the hooping cough, the college youth must pass through the stage of conceit in which he holds in slight esteem the wisdom of the best.
John Lancaster Spalding
In the world of thought a man's rank is determined, not by his average work, but by his highest achievement.
John Lancaster Spalding
The doctrine of the utter vanity of life is a doctrine of despair, and life is hope.
John Lancaster Spalding
Thy money, thy office, thy reputation are nothing put away these phantom clothings, and stand like an athlete stripped for the battle.
John Lancaster Spalding
Solitude is unbearable for those who can not bear themselves.
John Lancaster Spalding
We may avoid much disappointment and bitterness of soul by learning to understand how little necessary to our joy and peace are the things the multitude most desire and seek.
John Lancaster Spalding
The highest strength is acquired not in overcoming the world, but in overcoming one's self. Learn to be cruel to thyself, to withstand thy appetites, to bear thy sufferings, and thou shalt become free and able.
John Lancaster Spalding
