Elias Hicks Quotes

Powerful Elias Hicks for Daily Growth

About Elias Hicks

Elias Hicks (1748-1830) was an influential American Quaker preacher and theologian who played a significant role in shaping early American Quakerism. Born on January 17, 1748, in Huntingtown, Maryland, Hicks grew up on his family's farm and was introduced to the Quaker faith by his parents. At age 26, Hicks experienced a profound religious conversion during a visit to the burial place of George Fox, founder of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). This event marked the beginning of Hicks's prolific career as a preacher and writer. He was appointed as an overseer in his local meeting, and in 1782, he began a lifelong ministry that took him throughout the eastern United States. Hicks's teachings were centered around the idea of the inner light within every individual, which he believed could guide people to God without the need for external authorities or creeds. This belief led to a significant schism within the Quaker community and resulted in the formation of Hicksite Quakers. Some of his most influential works include "Rise, Shine, for Thy Light is Come" (1805) and "The Peace-Maker" (1820). Despite facing criticism and persecution from both mainstream society and orthodox Quakers, Hicks remained steadfast in his beliefs. He passed away on May 13, 1830, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to inspire Quakers and seekers of spiritual truth today. Elias Hicks's life and teachings serve as a testament to the power of faith, persistence, and the pursuit of inner light.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"We can never be certain that the will of God is done when we feel an excitement and glow in our own souls."

This Elias Hicks quote emphasizes the importance of humility and caution when interpreting divine will based on personal feelings or emotions, such as excitement or a sense of spiritual glow. Hicks suggests that one should be careful not to mistake their own emotional states for the manifestation of God's will. Instead, it encourages individuals to rely on deeper discernment, introspection, and prayer when seeking guidance from a higher power. In essence, the quote serves as a reminder that our subjective feelings may not always align with the objective will of God.


"It is not a religion to go about doing good; it is evidence of the truth."

This quote suggests that one's actions, specifically acts of kindness or benevolence, should not be seen as a religious duty or obligation, but rather as a natural outcome of living in accordance with the truth. In other words, genuine faith will lead to good deeds, not the other way around. The focus is on authenticity and integrity - when one truly believes in something, they will naturally demonstrate it through their actions.


"True Christianity consists in living, acting, speaking, and thinking like Jesus Christ."

This quote by Elias Hicks emphasizes that authentic Christian practice is not merely about professing faith, but rather embodying the teachings and actions of Jesus Christ. It suggests that a true follower of Christ should strive to live according to His example: displaying love, compassion, humility, and integrity in all aspects of life. This encompasses not just personal behavior, but also interactions with others, communication, and thought processes. Essentially, this quote underscores the importance of living a Christ-like life as a fundamental expression of true Christian faith.


"The more closely we conform our conduct to the divine will, the less we shall feel the need of asking God's blessing upon it."

This quote by Elias Hicks suggests that as individuals strive to align their actions with divine will (or moral principles), they will find that their actions become self-sufficient in a spiritual sense, thereby reducing the perceived need for explicit blessings or divine approval. The implication is that living according to higher ethics and morals brings an inherent sense of righteousness and fulfillment, which diminishes the need for external validation or blessings.


"Every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; and a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit."

This quote emphasizes that the nature or character of a person (the tree) is reflected in their actions, deeds, or outcomes (the fruits). Good people produce good results, while those with corrupt intentions or characters yield negative or harmful results. It serves as a reminder that one's true nature will always be revealed through their actions over time.


O that our hearts were enlarged in love to God, that we might turn inward, to the blessed comforter, that the blessed Jesus said the Father would send.

- Elias Hicks

Love, Father, Might, Inward

But if we continue in sin, and rebel and harden our hearts, we shall become so inured and fixed in it, that it will be natural, and we shall choose it from time to time.

- Elias Hicks

Rebel, Will, Natural, Fixed

And if we are in this state, if we had an eternity of probation, what reason have we to suppose that we should profit by it - if we had ever so long a time to chose for ourselves we should pursue our own will, to gratify our carnal I desires.

- Elias Hicks

Reason, Own, Had, Profit

And yet you see the weakness of external evidence-and outward miracles; they were not sufficient to make true believers, or to make the Israelites believe that Jesus was their promised Messiah.

- Elias Hicks

True Believers, Believers, External

I delight not in spreading any thing mysterious, for I consider it all lost time; but the things that all of us can see and know if we will.

- Elias Hicks

Will, Spreading, Any, Delight

We learn this by the precepts that Jesus left. He observed that the people were looking outward, and assured them that the kingdom of God cometh not with outward observation; and for this reason, that it was only to be known in man.

- Elias Hicks

Learn, Reason, Observation, Cometh

It was of the greatest moment, and consequence, that they should believe in him when he came, for they could receive no benefit from him without believing him to be their Messiah.

- Elias Hicks

Could, Receive, Consequence, Messiah

There was nothing then but the revelation of the spirit-of God that could make any of the Israelites understand and believe that he was their proper Messiah.

- Elias Hicks

Nothing, Could, Revelation, Messiah

In reading the scriptures of truth, we often put wrong constructions upon them, and apply them improperly; and I apprehend it has often been the case in relation to this portion, particularly that part in relation to man's seeking out many inventions.

- Elias Hicks

Been, Part, Portion, Apprehend

We have met on a solemn occasion, and in this crowded assembly there is one thing that appears important, that is, for every one of us to be still, that if any thing should he said, every one may the better hear.

- Elias Hicks

Occasion, May, Still, Solemn

And so about many other things of the same nature, we are trying to make people believe these things, and we make creeds of them; and thus we continue to do our own will, which is the ground of all sin.

- Elias Hicks

Other, Which, Thus, Creeds

Therefore, don't let sinners take courage to think they will be favoured like the thief on the cross; for we see on the other side, they may be like the hardened one, and reproach death itself.

- Elias Hicks

Think, Other, Side, Hardened

You know that we have a great variety of ways to gratify our own desires.

- Elias Hicks

Own, Variety, Ways, Gratify

That I feel a desire, my friends, that we in this latter day of the world, in which light is fast spreading, that we should be willing to attend to those portions of the Scriptures of truth that direct us home to the foundation.

- Elias Hicks

Attend, Willing, Direct, Scriptures

What encouragement the apostle holds out to us. O my friends, that we might leave all our pretensions, and come to the truth in our own hearts.

- Elias Hicks

Own, Come, Might, Encouragement

The fulness of the godhead dwelt in every blade of grass.

- Elias Hicks

Nature, Godhead, Every, Grass

Then, certainly, to be a Christian is to love God above all, and our neighbour as ourselves.

- Elias Hicks

Love, Christian, Certainly, Neighbour

Just as a son, to be a son of man, must be of the same nature and spirit of his father; so with the sons of God, and so it will be with all who are born of the spirit of God.

- Elias Hicks

Nature, Father, Will, Sons

To this light, then, would I recommend all, with mine own soul, - to this sure way of salvation.

- Elias Hicks

Salvation, Sure, Mine, Sure Way

People talk about revelation, and say it has ceased; but what ignorance it bespeaks, when man knows not the least thing on earth without revelation.

- Elias Hicks

Say, About, Least, Revelation

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