Hosea Ballou
Man, being not only a religious, but also a social being, requires for the promotion of his rational happiness religious institutions, which, while they give a proper direction to devotion, at the same time make a wise and profitable improvement of his social feelings.Collection: Wise
If our Creator has so bountifully provided for our existence here, which is but momentary, and for our temporal wants, which will soon be forgotten, how much more must He have done for our enjoyment in the everlasting world?Collection: Heaven
It is the goodly outside that sin puts on which tempteth to destruction. It has been said that sin is like the bee, with honey in its mouth, but a sting in its tail.Collection: Tails
Not the least misfortune in a prominent falsehood is the fact that tradition is apt to repeat it for truth.Collection: Facts
None but the guilty know the withering pains of repentance.Collection: Pain
There is no doubt that religious fanatics have done more to prejudice the cause they affect to advocate than have its opponents.Collection: Religious
Of all the ingenious mistakes into which erring man has fallen, perhaps none have been so pernicious in their consequences, or have brought so many evils into the world, as the popular opinion that the way of the transgressor is pleasant and easy.Collection: Mistake
It is very questionable, in my mind, how far we have the right to judge one of another, since there is born within every man the germs of both virtue and vice. The development of one or the other is contingent upon circumstances.Collection: Men
It is vain to trust in wrong; it is like erecting a building upon a frail foundation, and which will directly be sure to topple over.Collection: Foundation
Attempt to teach the young but little at a time; this will be easier to impart, easier to receive, and surer to be retained.Collection: Teaching
Has not God borne with you these many years? Be ye tolerant to others.Collection: Years
O sin, how you paint your face! how you flatter us poor mortals on to death! You never appear to the sinner in your true character; you make fair promises, but you never fulfil one; your tongue is smoother than oil, but the poison of asps is under your lip!Collection: Character
No outward change need trouble him who is inwardly serene.Collection: Needs
There is no possible excuse for a guarded lie. Enthusiastic and impulsive people will sometimes falsify thoughtlessly, but equivocation is malice prepense.Collection: Lying
True repentance also involves reform.Collection: Reform
How can there be pride in a contrite heart? Humility is the earliest fruit of religion.Collection: Heart
A careless and blasphemous use of the name of the Divine Being is not only sinful, but it is also prima facie evidence of vulgar associations.Collection: Names
Duty itself is supreme delight when love is the inducement and labor. By such a principle the ignorant are enlightened, the hard-hearted softened, the disobedient reformed, and the faithful encouraged.Collection: Love Is
Obedience and resignation are our personal offerings upon the altar of duty.Collection: Offering
There is no such thing as "best" in the world of individuals.Collection: Growth
We must not only read the Scriptures, but we must make their rules of life our own.Collection: Scripture
Obedience sums up our entire duty.Collection: Obedience
Most people who commit a sin count on some personal benefit to be derived therefrom, but profanity has not even this excuse.Collection: People
A true religious instinct never deprived man of one single joy; mournful faces and a sombre aspect are the conventional affectations of the weak-minded.Collection: Religious
Prosperity seems to be scarcely safe, unless it be mixed with a little adversity.Collection: Adversity
Moderation is the key to lasting enjoyment.Collection: Keys
There is no better rule to try a doctrine by than the question, Is it merciful, or is it unmerciful? If its character is that of mercy, it has the image of Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life.Collection: Jesus
Lenity has almost always wisdom and justice on its side.Collection: Justice
Mystery and innocence are not akin.Collection: Innocence
Unless we find repose within ourselves, it is vain to seek it elsewhere.Collection: Vain
That alone can be called true refinement which elevates the soul of man, purifying the manners by improving the intellect.Collection: Men