Quote

We are not masters of the truth which is borne in upon us: it overpowers us.

John Lancaster Spalding

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

John Lancaster Spalding
Age: 76 †
Born: 1840
Born: June 2
Died: 1916
Died: August 25
Author
Biographer
Catholic Priest
Lebanon
Kentucky
Overpowers
Borne
Masters
Upon
Truth

More quotes by John Lancaster Spalding

Image
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
Image
The common man is impelled and controlled by interests the superior, by ideas.
John Lancaster Spalding
Image
We have no sympathy with those who are controlled by ideas and passions which we neither understand nor feel. Thus they who live to satisfy the appetites do not believe it possible to live in and for the soul.
John Lancaster Spalding
Image
Exercise of body and exercise of mind are supplementary, and both may be made recreative and educative.
John Lancaster Spalding
Image
There are who mistake the spirit of pugnacity for the spirit of piety, and thus harbor a devil instead of an angel.
John Lancaster Spalding
Image
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
Image
If thy friends tire of thee, remember that it is human to tire of everything.
John Lancaster Spalding
Image
They who see through the eyes of others are controlled by the will of others.
John Lancaster Spalding
Image
Inferior thinking and writing will make a name for a man among inferior people, who in all ages and countries, are the majority.
John Lancaster Spalding
Image
Your faith is what you believe, not what you know.
John Lancaster Spalding
Image
The innocence which is simply ignorance is not virtue.
John Lancaster Spalding
Image
The ploughman knows how many acres he shall upturn from dawn to sunset: but the thinker knows not what a day may bring forth.
John Lancaster Spalding
Image
In education, as in religion and love, compulsion thwarts the purpose for which it is employed.
John Lancaster Spalding
Image
The writers who accomplish most are those who compel thought on the highest and most profoundly interesting subjects.
John Lancaster Spalding
Image
A Wise man knows that much of what he says and does is commonplace and trivial. His thoughts are not all solemn and sacred in his own eyes. He is able to laugh at himself and is not offended when others make him a subject whereon to exercise their wit.
John Lancaster Spalding
Image
Insight makes argument ridiculous.
John Lancaster Spalding
Image
Those subjects have the greatest educational value, which are richest in incentives to the noblest self-activity.
John Lancaster Spalding
Image
Language should be pure, noble and graceful, as the body should be so: for both are vestures of the Soul.
John Lancaster Spalding
Image
Solitude is unbearable for those who can not bear themselves.
John Lancaster Spalding
Image
It is difficult to be sure of our friends, but it is possible to be certain of our loyalty to them.
John Lancaster Spalding