Quote

Recreation is intended to the mind as whetting is to the scythe, to sharpen the edge of it, which otherwise would grow dull and blunt,--as good no scythe as no edge.

Joseph Hall

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Joseph Hall
Age: 82 †
Born: 1574
Born: July 1
Died: 1656
Died: September 8
Clergyman
Poet
Priest
Writer
Ashby-de-la-Zouch
Leicestershire
Edges
Scythes
Otherwise
Scythe
Grow
Sharpen
Grows
Blunt
Mind
Recreation
Good
Intended
Would
Edge
Dull

More quotes by Joseph Hall

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The ear and the eye are the mind's receivers but the tongue is only busy in expending the treasures received. It, therefore, the revenues of the mind be uttered as fast or faster than they are received, it must needs be bare, and can never lay up for purchase.
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Mark in what order: first, our calling then, our election not beginning with our election first. By our calling, arguing our election.
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There would not be so many open mouths if there were not so many open ears.
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Revenge commonly hurts both the offerer and sufferer as we see in a foolish bee, which in her anger invenometh the flesh and loseth her sting, and so lives a drone ever after.
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Heaven hath many tongues to talk of it, more eyes to behold it, but few hearts that rightly affect it.
Joseph Hall
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Death did not first strike Adam, the first sinful man, nor Cain, the first hypocrite, but Abel, the innocent and righteous. The first soul that met with death, overcame death the first soul that parted from earth went to heaven. Death argues not displeasure, because he whom God loved best dies first, and the murderer is punished with living.
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There is many a rich stone laid up in the bowels of the earth, many a fair pearl laid up in the bosom of the sea, that never was seen, nor never shall be.
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Christian society is like a bundle of sticks laid together, whereof one kindles another. Solitary men have fewest provocations to evil, but, again, fewest incitations to good. So much as doing good is better than not doing evil will I account Christian good-fellowship better than an hermitish and melancholy solitariness.
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Moderation is the silken string running through the pearl chain of all virtues.
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Seldom was any knowledge given to keep, but to impart the grace of this rich jewel is lost in concealment.
Joseph Hall
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The blood that is once inflamed with wine is apt to boil with rage.
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It is not he that reads most, but he that meditates most on Divine truth, that will prove the choicest, wisest, strongest Christian.
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Earthly greatness is a nice thing, and requires so much chariness in the managing, as the contentment of it cannot requite.
Joseph Hall
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And, if I were so low that I accounted myself the worst of all, yet some would account themselves in worse case.
Joseph Hall
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Our good purposes foreslowed are become our tormentors upon our deathbed.
Joseph Hall
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[W]e all lie down in our bed of earth as sure to wake as ever we can be to shut our eyes.
Joseph Hall
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I have seldom seen much ostentation and much learning met together. The sun, rising and declining, makes long shadows at mid day, when he is highest, none at all.
Joseph Hall
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God loves to see his creatures happy our lawful delight is His they know not God that think to please Him with making themselves miserable. The idolaters thought it a fit service for Baal to cut and lance themselves never any holy man looked for thanks from the true God by wronging himself.
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Tranquillity consisteth in a steadiness of the mind and how can that vessel that is beaten upon by contrary waves and winds, and tottereth to either part, be said to keep a steady course? Resolution is the only mother of security.
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A good man is kinder to his enemy than bad men are to their friends.
Joseph Hall