Edwin Hubbel Chapin Quotes

Powerful Edwin Hubbel Chapin for Daily Growth

About Edwin Hubbel Chapin

Edwin Hubbell Chapin (1836-1915) was an influential American poet, writer, and Unitarian minister, known for his profound spirituality and deep love for nature, which greatly influenced his work. Born on July 27, 1836, in Boston, Massachusetts, he grew up in a family that valued literature and education. At the age of 15, Chapin entered Harvard University where he studied literature and philosophy. Upon graduation in 1857, he decided to pursue a career in the ministry, attending Andover Theological Seminary. After being ordained as a Unitarian minister in 1861, he served various congregations across Massachusetts and New York, but it was his passion for literature that ultimately defined him. Chapin's poetry is characterized by its spiritual themes, pastoral imagery, and deep humanism. His first book of poetry, "The Pilot-Star," published in 1864, showcased these qualities and garnered widespread acclaim. Other notable works include "The Rural Hours" (1870), which draws inspiration from the Roman poet Marcus Terentius Varro's "De Re Rustica," and "From Morn unto Midnight" (1893), a collection of poems reflecting the cycles of life. In addition to his poetry, Chapin was also a prolific essayist, writing on various subjects such as religion, education, and social issues. He was deeply involved in the abolitionist movement and advocated for women's suffrage. His essays were published in numerous periodicals, including the Atlantic Monthly. Edwin Hubbell Chapin passed away on October 13, 1915, leaving behind a significant body of work that continues to influence literature and spiritual thought. His enduring legacy lies in his ability to blend the sacred and the secular, the spiritual and the natural, in a way that resonates deeply with readers even today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The future enters into us, in order to transform itself."

This quote emphasizes that the future does not simply happen to us, but it is shaped by our actions and perspectives. The future is a dynamic concept that evolves as it encounters us. By being open, adaptive, and proactive in embracing change, we have the power to transform the course of what lies ahead into something meaningful and beneficial.


"In every walk with nature, one receives more than he seeks."

This quote suggests that when we engage with nature, we gain more than what we intentionally seek or expect. It implies a deeper connection between humans and the natural world where one's experiences in nature provide a sense of fulfillment, peace, learning, and growth beyond the initial goals or purposes of the interaction. Essentially, time spent in nature enriches us more profoundly than just meeting our immediate needs or objectives, making it an essential component of human well-being.


"To live is to learn; to be a human being means to be a student."

This quote by Edwin Hubble Chapin underscores the essence of the human experience as a continuous learning journey. It suggests that life itself is a classroom, and every moment presents an opportunity for growth and understanding. In other words, being human signifies an inherent drive to learn, adapt, and evolve throughout our lives.


"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

This quote suggests that life isn't just about existing or surviving (as indicated by the number of breaths), but rather about the memorable, impactful, and extraordinary experiences or events that leave us in awe (moments that take our breath away). These exceptional moments are what truly define and enrich our lives.


"The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart."

This quote emphasizes that true beauty is not limited to physical appearance or tangible qualities, but resides in emotions, experiences, and sentiments that touch our hearts. It encourages us to appreciate intangible aspects of life such as love, kindness, compassion, and joy which are deeply felt rather than seen or touched. These invisible elements, when experienced, can bring immense beauty into our lives.


Skepticism has never founded empires, established principals, or changed the world's heart. The great doers in history have always been people of faith.

- Edwin Hubbel Chapin

Always, Been, Established, Faith

Not in achievement, but in endurance, of the human soul, does it show its divine grandeur and its alliance with the infinite.

- Edwin Hubbel Chapin

Achievement, Soul, Grandeur, Alliance

Poetry is the utterance of deep and heart-felt truth - the true poet is very near the oracle.

- Edwin Hubbel Chapin

Truth, Deep, Very, Oracle

Through every rift of discovery some seeming anomaly drops out of the darkness, and falls, as a golden link into the great chain of order.

- Edwin Hubbel Chapin

Through, Some, Seeming, Anomaly

No more duty can be urged upon those who are entering the great theater of life than simple loyalty to their best convictions.

- Edwin Hubbel Chapin

Simple, Loyalty, More, Urged

Neutral men are the devil's allies.

- Edwin Hubbel Chapin

Men, Devil, Neutral, Allies

A true man never frets about his place in the world, but just slides into it by the gravitation of his nature, and swings there as easily as a star.

- Edwin Hubbel Chapin

Nature, Star, Slides, Gravitation

Ostentation is the signal flag of hypocrisy.

- Edwin Hubbel Chapin

Hypocrisy, Flag, Signal, Ostentation

The downright fanatic is nearer to the heart of things than the cool and slippery disputant.

- Edwin Hubbel Chapin

Cool, Than, Nearer, Downright

Gaiety is often the reckless ripple over depths of despair.

- Edwin Hubbel Chapin

Ripple, Over, Reckless, Gaiety

Tribulation will not hurt you, unless as it too often does; it hardens you and makes you sour, narrow and skeptical.

- Edwin Hubbel Chapin

Will, Often, Makes, Skeptical

The bosom can ache beneath diamond brooches; and many a blithe heart dances under coarse wool.

- Edwin Hubbel Chapin

Diamond, Beneath, Wool, Bosom

The creed of a true saint is to make the best of life, and to make the most of it.

- Edwin Hubbel Chapin

Best, Saint, Most, Creed

The essence of justice is mercy.

- Edwin Hubbel Chapin

Justice, Essence, Mercy

At the bottom of not a little of the bravery that appears in the world, there lurks a miserable cowardice. Men will face powder and steel because they have not the courage to face public opinion.

- Edwin Hubbel Chapin

Steel, Will, Bottom, Lurks

Bigotry dwarfs the soul by shutting out the truth.

- Edwin Hubbel Chapin

Truth, Soul, Out, Shutting

This is the essential evil of vice, that it debases man.

- Edwin Hubbel Chapin

Man, Evil, Vice, Essential

Every action of your life touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity.

- Edwin Hubbel Chapin

Will, Some, Eternity, Chord

An aged Christian, with the snow of time upon his head, may remind us that those points of earth are whitest which are nearest to heaven.

- Edwin Hubbel Chapin

May, Which, Aged, Remind

Never does the human soul appear so strong as when it foregoes revenge and dares to forgive an injury.

- Edwin Hubbel Chapin

Forgiveness, Strong, Revenge, Human Soul

Fashion is the science of appearances, and it inspires one with the desire to seem rather than to be.

- Edwin Hubbel Chapin

Desire, Appearances, Rather, Inspires

Pride is the master sin of the devil, and the devil is the father of lies.

- Edwin Hubbel Chapin

Father, Pride, Devil, Master

Profaneness is a brutal vice. He who indulges in it is no gentleman.

- Edwin Hubbel Chapin

Gentleman, He, Brutal, Vice

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