Benjamin Whichcote Quotes & Sayings

Such an explication of Grace as sets men at liberty in morals, makes void the Law through Faith. — Benjamin Whichcote

It is hypocrisy for man to make any other use of his religion, or the credit of it, than to sanctify and save his soul. — Benjamin Whichcote

None are known to be good, till they have opportunity to be bad. — Benjamin Whichcote

Fear is prophetical of evil. — Benjamin Whichcote

A good man's life is all of a piece. — Benjamin Whichcote

The government of man should be the monarchy of reason: it is too often the democracy of passions or the anarchy of humors. — Benjamin Whichcote

A good word costs as little as a bad one, and is worth more. — Benjamin Whichcote

An idol is what man makes and then has to carry. God makes a man and then carries him. — Benjamin Whichcote

When we do any good to others, we do as much, or more, good to ourselves. — Benjamin Whichcote

There is no better way to learn than to teach. — Benjamin Whichcote

If a man will be righteous and equal, let him see, with his neighbour's eyes, in his own case; and with his own eyes, in his neighbour's case. — Benjamin Whichcote

Will, without reason, is a blind man's motion; will, against reason, is a madman's motion. — Benjamin Whichcote

Modesty and humility are the sobriety of the mind, as temperance and chastity are of the body. — Benjamin Whichcote

All is not done when we have spoken to God by prayer; our petitions are to be pursued with real endeavours. — Benjamin Whichcote

Truth is not only a man's ornament but his instrument; it is the great man's glory, and the poor man's stock: a man's truth is his livelihood, his recommendation, his letters of credit. — Benjamin Whichcote

He that does not repent, sins again. — Benjamin Whichcote

That power is in vain which is never in use. — Benjamin Whichcote

Did Christians live according to their Religion, they would do nothing but what Truth, Righteousness, and Goodness do, according to their understanding and ability: and then one man would be a God unto another. — Benjamin Whichcote

The sense of repentance is better assurance of pardon than the testimony of an angel. — Benjamin Whichcote

Among politicians the esteem of religion is profitable; the principles of it are troublesome. — Benjamin Whichcote

The most that any of us know, is the least of that which is to be known. — Benjamin Whichcote

Virtue is the health, true state, natural complexion of the Soul. — Benjamin Whichcote

Those that differ upon Reason, may come together by Reason. — Benjamin Whichcote

No men stand more in fear of God than those who most deny Him. — Benjamin Whichcote

He that useth his reason doth acknowledge God. — Benjamin Whichcote

Only madmen and fools are pleased with themselves; no wise man is good enough for his own satisfaction. — Benjamin Whichcote

A wise man will not communicate his differing thoughts to unprepared minds, or in a disorderly manner. — Benjamin Whichcote

Believe things, rather than man. — Benjamin Whichcote

Christ is God clothed with human nature. — Benjamin Whichcote

Every man is born with the faculty of reason and the faculty of speech, but why should he be able to speak before he has anything to say? — Benjamin Whichcote

Fear is the denomination of the Old Testament; belief is the denomination of the New. — Benjamin Whichcote

We are made for one another, and each is to be a supply to his neighbor. — Benjamin Whichcote

A benefactor is a representative of God. — Benjamin Whichcote

No man is greatly jealous who is not in some measure guilty. — Benjamin Whichcote

Conscience without judgment is superstition. — Benjamin Whichcote

Riches are but a means, or instrument; and the virtue of an instrument lies in its use. — Benjamin Whichcote

Let not a man's self be to him all in all. — Benjamin Whichcote

He that would have the perfection of pleasure must be moderate in the use of it. — Benjamin Whichcote

None can do a man so much harm as he doeth himself. — Benjamin Whichcote

Joy is the life of man's life. — Benjamin Whichcote

The State of Grace and the Life of Sin are incompatibilities. — Benjamin Whichcote

Where Religion does take place and is effectual, it makes this world, in measure and degree, representative of Heaven. — Benjamin Whichcote

It is altogether as worthy of God and as much becoming Him to pardon and show mercy, in case of repentance and submission and reformation, as to punish, in case of impenitency and obstinacy. — Benjamin Whichcote

A guilty mind can be eased by nothing but repentance; by which what was ill done is revoked and morally voided and undone. — Benjamin Whichcote

Ah! when in the immortal ranks enlisted, I sometimes wonder if we shall not find That not by deeds, but by what we've resisted, Our places are assigned. — Benjamin Whichcote

Some things must be good in themselves, else there could be no measure whereby to lay out good and evil. — Benjamin Whichcote

Entrance into Heaven is not at the hour of death, but at the moment of conversion. — Benjamin Whichcote

None of us was born knowing or wise; but men become wise by consideration, observation, experience. — Benjamin Whichcote

The judge is nothing but the law speaking. — Benjamin Whichcote

Some are Atheists by Neglect; others are so by Affectation; they, that think there is no God at some times; do not think so at all times. — Benjamin Whichcote

God imposeth no Law of Righteousness upon us which He doth not observe Himself. — Benjamin Whichcote

He is not likely to learn who is not willing to be taught; for the learner has something to do, as well as the teacher. — Benjamin Whichcote

None more deceive themselves than they who think their religion is true and genuine, thought it refines not their spirits and reforms not their lives. — Benjamin Whichcote

Man is a wonder to himself; he can neither govern nor know himself. — Benjamin Whichcote

Those who live not by law would be justified by Custom: but, as common practice is the worst teacher that ever was, so the truth and goodness of things is not to be estimated by the entertainment and acceptance they find in the world. — Benjamin Whichcote

He that neither knows himself nor thinks he can learn of others is not fit for company. — Benjamin Whichcote

The human soul is to God, is as the flower to the sun; it opens at its approach, and shuts when it withdraws. — Benjamin Whichcote

Religion is ... being as much like God as man can be. — Benjamin Whichcote

None are so empty as those who are full of themselves. — Benjamin Whichcote

He that repents is angry with himself; I need not be angry with him. — Benjamin Whichcote

Conscience is ... the God dwelling in us. — Benjamin Whichcote

Good men study to spiritualize their bodies; bad men to incarnate their souls. — Benjamin Whichcote

Right and truth are greater than any power, and all power is limited by right. — Benjamin Whichcote

It is base and unworthy to live below the dignity of our nature. — Benjamin Whichcote

The more mysterious, the more imperfect; as darkness is, in comparison with light
so is mystery, in comparison with knowledge. — Benjamin Whichcote

Repentance doth alter a man's case with God: and therefore repentance should alter the case between one man and another. — Benjamin Whichcote

Take away the self-conceited, and there will be elbowroom in the world. — Benjamin Whichcote

He that is dishonest, trusts nobody. — Benjamin Whichcote

No man doth think others will be better to him than he is to them. — Benjamin Whichcote

We never better enjoy ourselves than when we most enjoy God. — Benjamin Whichcote

Everything is dangerous to him that is afraid of it. — Benjamin Whichcote

He that is conceited of his Wisdom, is readier to impose Error, than to receive Truth. — Benjamin Whichcote

The longest sword, the strongest lungs, the most voices, are false measures of truth. — Benjamin Whichcote

It is impossible for a man to be made happy by putting him in a happy place, unless he be first in a happy state. — Benjamin Whichcote

There is nothing more unnatural to religion than contentions about it. — Benjamin Whichcote

We are only so free that others may be free as well as we. — Benjamin Whichcote

Either be a true friend or a mere stranger: a true friend will delight to do good
a mere stranger will do no harm. — Benjamin Whichcote

Let us all so live as we shall wish we had lived when we come to die; for that only is well, that ends well. — Benjamin Whichcote

Every profession does imply a trust for the service of the public. — Benjamin Whichcote

Nothing spoils human nature more than false zeal. The good nature of a heathen is more God-like than the furious zeal of a Christian. — Benjamin Whichcote

What is Perfected hereafter, must be begun here. — Benjamin Whichcote

The Devil often finds work for them who find none for themselves. — Benjamin Whichcote

An ill principle in the mind is worse than the matter of a disease in the body. — Benjamin Whichcote