Quote

A general loftiness of sentiment, independence of men, consciousness of good intentions, self-oblivion in great objects, clear views of futurity thoughts of the blessed companionship of saints and angels, trust in God as the friend of truth and virtue,--these are the states of mind in which I should live.

William Ellery Channing

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

William Ellery Channing
Age: 62 †
Born: 1780
Born: April 7
Died: 1842
Died: October 2
Pastor
Preacher
Theologian
Newport
Rhode Island
Reverend William Ellery Channing
Live
Friend
Saint
Futurity
Self
Trust
Independence
Sentiment
Great
Consciousness
Intention
Companionship
Mind
Views
Angel
Oblivion
Good
Virtue
Blessed
Saints
Men
Clear
General
Intentions
Truth
Objects
Sentiments
States
Thoughts
Angels
Loftiness

More quotes by William Ellery Channing

Image
Knowledge is essential to freedom.
William Ellery Channing
Image
All noble enthusiasms pass through a feverish stage, and grow wiser and more serene
William Ellery Channing
Image
I call that mind free which protects itself against the usurpations of society, and which does not cower to human opinion: Which refuses to be the slave or tool of the many or of the few, and guards its empire over itself as nobler than the empire of the world.
William Ellery Channing
Image
Most joyful let the Poet be, it is through him that all men see.
William Ellery Channing
Image
But the ground of a man's culture lies in his nature, not in his calling. His powers are to be unfolded on account of their inherent dignity, not their outward direction. He is to be educated, because he is a man, not because he is to make shoes, nail, or pins.
William Ellery Channing
Image
A man may quarrel with himself alone that is, by controverting his better instincts and knowledge when brought face to face with temptation.
William Ellery Channing
Image
The best books for a man are not always those which the wise recommend, but often those which meet the peculiar wants, the natural thirst of his mind, and therefore awaken interest and rivet thought.
William Ellery Channing
Image
Fix your eyes on perfection and you make almost everything speed towards it.
William Ellery Channing
Image
How easy to be amiable in the midst of happiness and success.
William Ellery Channing
Image
Home - the nursery of the Infinite.
William Ellery Channing
Image
A clear thought, a pure affection, a resolute act of a virtuous will, have a dignity of quite another kind, and far higher than accumulations of brick and granite and plaster and stucco, however cunningly put together.
William Ellery Channing
Image
Great effort from great motives is the best definition of a happy life
William Ellery Channing
Image
It is far more important to me to preserve an unblemished conscience than to compass any object however great.
William Ellery Channing
Image
Real greatness has nothing to do with a man’s sphere. It does not lie in the magnitude of his outward agency, in the extent of the effects which he produces. The greatest men may do comparatively little.
William Ellery Channing
Image
Another powerful principle of our nature, which is the spring of war, is the passion for superiority, for triumph, for power. The human mind is aspiring, impatient of inferiority, and eager for preeminence and control.
William Ellery Channing
Image
My highway is unfeatured air, My consorts are the sleepless stars, And men my giant arms upbear My arms unstained and free from scars.
William Ellery Channing
Image
The world is to be carried forward by truth, which at first offends, which wins its way by degrees, which the many hate and would rejoice to crush.
William Ellery Channing
Image
Natural amiableness is too often seen in company with sloth, with uselessness, with the vanity of fashionable life.
William Ellery Channing
Image
The chief evil of war is more evil. War is the concentration of all human crimes. Here is its distinguishing, accursed brand. Under its standard gather violence, malignity, rage, fraud, perfidy, rapacity, and lust. If it only slew man, it would do little. It turns man into a beast of prey.
William Ellery Channing
Image
To give a generous hope to a man of his own nature, is to enrich him immeasurably.
William Ellery Channing