Henry Ward Beecher Quotes

Powerful Henry Ward Beecher for Daily Growth

About Henry Ward Beecher

Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887), an influential American clergyman, social critic, and lecturer, was born on June 24, 1813, in Litchfield, Connecticut, as the son of renowned preacher Lyman Beecher and Roxana Foote. His family was deeply religious and produced other notable figures like Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin.' Beecher began his career as a minister in East Hampton, New York, but soon gained prominence at Plymouth Church in Brooklyn, where he served from 1847 to 1887. His eloquent sermons and charismatic presence made him one of the most popular preachers of his time. Beecher was a strong advocate for social reforms, speaking out against slavery, women's rights, and other contemporary issues. His major works include 'The Atonement: A Lecture to Young Men,' published in 1846, which emphasized the importance of personal responsibility and moral conduct; 'Pastor to Pastors,' a collection of sermons offering guidance to fellow ministers; and 'Natural Law in the Spiritual World,' a book discussing the interplay between morality and the divine. Beecher's influence extended beyond religious circles. He was a frequent contributor to Harper's Weekly and The Atlantic Monthly, where he published essays on politics, ethics, and social issues. In 1873, Beecher was embroiled in a scandal concerning alleged improprieties with Elizabeth Tilton, the wife of one of his church members. Although acquitted of charges, this episode tarnished his reputation. Despite the controversy, Henry Ward Beecher remains an important figure in American history for his tireless advocacy for social reform and his significant contributions to literature and public discourse. He passed away on March 8, 1887, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to inspire today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

This quote underscores the power of positive forces in overcoming negativity. It suggests that in dealing with challenges such as darkness (metaphorically representing negative emotions, situations, or conflicts) and hate, the solutions don't lie within the same realm – instead, one must resort to light (positivity, understanding, and love) to bring about change. Essentially, it advocates for an approach of love and compassion in resolving problems and fostering peace.

"Every great and noble enterprise is first accompanied with contempt, then persecution, then success."

This quote by Henry Ward Beecher suggests that any ambitious or impactful endeavor, whether it be a new idea, invention, or movement, initially faces disdain and dismissal from others who find it unfamiliar or challenging to their existing beliefs. As the novelty wears off and the endeavor gains traction, those same individuals often respond with persecution, attempting to discredit or undermine the progress being made. However, eventually, if the enterprise is indeed great and noble, it will overcome these initial obstacles and achieve success. This cycle highlights the common struggle faced by pioneers in various fields as they push boundaries and forge new paths, inspiring us to persevere in our own endeavors despite potential early setbacks.

"The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude."

This quote by Henry Ward Beecher emphasizes the transformative power of one's mindset or attitude towards shaping their future. In other words, it suggests that an individual has the capacity to alter the course of their life simply by adopting a positive or empowering perspective. It underscores the importance of self-belief and optimism in overcoming challenges and achieving desired outcomes, thereby reinforcing the idea that our thoughts can influence our reality.

"B bandities are the midwives of unborn errors."

This quote by Henry Ward Beecher suggests that repeated, careless, or thoughtless speech can contribute to the birth or propagation of harmful, misguided, or erroneous ideas in society. In other words, reckless words without proper thought or consideration can lead to the growth and acceptance of unsound beliefs or actions.

"Life is not mainly or primarily a matter of holding a certain view about God, but of experiencing God."

This quote by Henry Ward Beecher emphasizes that religious beliefs are not just about intellectual assent to certain doctrines, but rather about having a personal, experiential relationship with the divine. In other words, it suggests that truly living life means experiencing God through our interactions, feelings, and spiritual growth, rather than simply adhering to specific dogmas or creeds.

Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Tomorrow, Anxiety, Take, Faith

The advertisements in a newspaper are more full knowledge in respect to what is going on in a state or community than the editorial columns are.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Newspaper, Going, Editorial, Columns

There is no friendship, no love, like that of the parent for the child.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Love, Friendship, Parent, Child

The mother's heart is the child's schoolroom.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Mother, Heart, Mom, Child

Love cannot endure indifference. It needs to be wanted. Like a lamp, it needs to be fed out of the oil of another's heart, or its flame burns low.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Love, Indifference, Needs, Lamp

The moment an ill can be patiently handled, it is disarmed of its poison, though not of its pain.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Pain, Poison, Though, Disarmed

Mirth is the sweet wine of human life. It should be offered sparkling with zestful life unto God.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Human Life, Unto, Offered, Mirth

Flowers are the sweetest things God ever made and forgot to put a soul into.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Nature, Flowers, Ever, Forgot

Of all the music that reached farthest into heaven, it is the beating of a loving heart.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Music, Romantic, Loving, Beating

The world's battlefields have been in the heart chiefly; more heroism has been displayed in the household and the closet, than on the most memorable battlefields in history.

- Henry Ward Beecher

More, Been, Displayed, Memorable

When a nation's young men are conservative, its funeral bell is already rung.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Conservative, Young, Nation, Rung

The ability to convert ideas to things is the secret of outward success.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Success, Ideas, Things, Convert

All men are tempted. There is no man that lives that can't be broken down, provided it is the right temptation, put in the right spot.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Broken, Lives, Provided, Temptation

The unthankful heart... discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!

- Henry Ward Beecher

Thankful, Through, Sweep, Magnet

I can forgive, but I cannot forget, is only another way of saying, I will not forgive. Forgiveness ought to be like a cancelled note - torn in two, and burned up, so that it never can be shown against one.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Forgiveness, Note, Torn, Another Way

I pray on the principle that wine knocks the cork out of a bottle. There is an inward fermentation, and there must be a vent.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Principle, Vent, Knocks, Inward

We are always on the anvil; by trials God is shaping us for higher things.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Religion, Always, Anvil, Trials

Greatness lies, not in being strong, but in the right using of strength; and strength is not used rightly when it serves only to carry a man above his fellows for his own solitary glory. He is the greatest whose strength carries up the most hearts by the attraction of his own.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Strength, Great, Strong, Attraction

He is greatest whose strength carries up the most hearts by the attraction of his own.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Most, Carries, His, Attraction

No matter what looms ahead, if you can eat today, enjoy today, mix good cheer with friends today enjoy it and bless God for it.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Enjoy, Matter, Ahead, Good Cheer

The Church is not a gallery for the exhibition of eminent Christians, but a school for the education of imperfect ones.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Exhibition, Christians, Imperfect

In this world, full often, our joys are only the tender shadows which our sorrows cast.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Sad, Tender, Which, Joys

There are joys which long to be ours. God sends ten thousands truths, which come about us like birds seeking inlet; but we are shut up to them, and so they bring us nothing, but sit and sing awhile upon the roof, and then fly away.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Away, Shut, Truths, Joys

Love is the river of life in the world.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Love, River, World, Love Is

Young love is a flame; very pretty, often very hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. The love of the older and disciplined heart is as coals, deep-burning, unquenchable.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Love, Pretty, Very, Love Is

The head learns new things, but the heart forever practices old experiences.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Experience, New, Head, Practices

The real man is one who always finds excuses for others, but never excuses himself.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Never, Always, Himself, Excuses

Success is full of promise till one gets it, and then it seems like a nest from which the bird has flown.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Success Is, Which, Till, Nest

God pardons like a mother, who kisses the offense into everlasting forgiveness.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Mother, Offense, Everlasting, Kisses

We should not judge people by their peak of excellence; but by the distance they have traveled from the point where they started.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Wisdom, Excellence, Distance, Traveled

God appoints our graces to be nurses to other men's weaknesses.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Men, Other, Weaknesses, Nurses

Every charitable act is a stepping stone toward heaven.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Inspirational, Charitable, Stone

Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody expects of you. Never excuse yourself.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Leadership, Never, Standard, Expects

The philosophy of one century is the common sense of the next.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Common, Next, Century, Common Sense

Laughter is day, and sobriety is night; a smile is the twilight that hovers gently between both, more bewitching than either.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Smile, Sobriety, More, Gently

A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs. It's jolted by every pebble on the road.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Humor, Sense Of Humor, Like, Pebble

To array a man's will against his sickness is the supreme art of medicine.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Art, Medical, His, Array

We sleep, but the loom of life never stops, and the pattern which was weaving when the sun went down is weaving when it comes up in the morning.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Morning, Pattern, Which, Weaving

Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Art, Brush, Paints, Dips

Laugh at your friends, and if your friends are sore; So much the better, you may laugh the more.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Better, More, May, Sore

I don't like these cold, precise, perfect people, who, in order not to speak wrong, never speak at all, and in order not to do wrong, never do anything.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Cold, Perfect, Like, Precise

God made man to go by motives, and he will not go without them, any more than a boat without steam or a balloon without gas.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Will, Balloon, Made, Boat

The babe at first feeds upon the mother's bosom, but it is always on her heart.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Mother, Mother's Day, Always, Bosom

It's not the work which kills people, it's the worry. It's not the revolution that destroys machinery it's the friction.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Work, Worry, Which, Friction

Law represents the effort of man to organize society; governments, the efforts of selfishness to overthrow liberty.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Society, Efforts, Represents, Selfishness

Selfishness is that detestable vice which no one will forgive in others, and no one is without himself.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Himself, Vice, Which, Selfishness

Clothes and manners do not make the man; but, when he is made, they greatly improve his appearance.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Appearance, Made, His, Greatly

The humblest individual exerts some influence, either for good or evil, upon others.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Some, Individual, Either, Humblest

There are three schoolmasters for everybody that will employ them - the senses, intelligent companions, and books.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Everybody, Books, Employ, Companions

I never knew how to worship until I knew how to love.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Love, Religion, Never, Worship

Every man should keep a fair-sized cemetery in which to bury the faults of his friends.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Which, His, Bury, Cemetery

Good nature is worth more than knowledge, more than money, more than honor, to the persons who possess it.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Wisdom, Money, Persons, Good Nature

Beware of him who hates the laugh of a child.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Him, Beware, Hates, Laugh

A book is good company. It is full of conversation without loquacity. It comes to your longing with full instruction, but pursues you never.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Good, Book, Your, Conversation

What a mother sings to the cradle goes all the way down to the coffin.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Mother, Goes, Sings, Coffin

Heaven will be inherited by every man who has heaven in his soul.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Soul, Will, His, Inherited

Our best successes often come after our greatest disappointments.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Failure, Best, Successes, Disappointments

The true secret of giving advice is, after you have honestly given it, to be perfectly indifferent whether it is taken or not, and never persist in trying to set people right.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Set, Given, Perfectly, Indifferent

The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won't.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Strong, Will, Other, Between

Of all escape mechanisms, death is the most efficient.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Death, Most, Efficient, Escape

Where is human nature so weak as in the bookstore?

- Henry Ward Beecher

Nature, Where, Bookstore, Human Nature

Books are not made for furniture, but there is nothing else that so beautifully furnishes a house.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Furniture, Made, Books, Beautifully

It is not the going out of port, but the coming in, that determines the success of a voyage.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Success, Going, Determines, Port

It is one of the severest tests of friendship to tell your friend his faults. So to love a man that you cannot bear to see a stain upon him, and to speak painful truth through loving words, that is friendship.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Love, Friendship, Through, Painful

Next to ingratitude the most painful thing to bear is gratitude.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Gratitude, Next, Most, Painful

There is no faculty of the human soul so persistent and universal as that of hatred.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Soul, Hatred, Human Soul, Universal

We never know the love of a parent till we become parents ourselves.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Love, Parenting, Never, Parents

Never forget what a person says to you when they are angry.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Forget, Never, Person, Never Forget

To become an able and successful man in any profession, three things are necessary, nature, study and practice.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Practice, Study, Profession, Successful Man

Gambling with cards or dice or stocks is all one thing. It's getting money without giving an equivalent for it.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Cards, One Thing, Equivalent, Stocks

Theology is a science of mind applied to God.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Science, Mind, Applied, Theology

Children are unpredictable. You never know what inconsistency they are going to catch you in next.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Children, Never, Next, Catch

It's easier to go down a hill than up it but the view is much better at the top.

- Henry Ward Beecher

View, Better, Hill, Easier

A Christian is nothing but a sinful man who has put himself to school for Christ for the honest purpose of becoming better.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Purpose, Christ, Becoming, Sinful

Every young man would do well to remember that all successful business stands on the foundation of morality.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Business, Foundation, Young, Successful

Compassion will cure more sins than condemnation.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Will, More, Than, Condemnation

Tears are often the telescope by which men see far into heaven.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Inspirational, See, Which, Heaven

Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Hands, Which, Take, Heaven

The worst thing in this world, next to anarchy, is government.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Government, World, Next, Anarchy

No man is sane who does not know how to be insane on proper occasions.

- Henry Ward Beecher

How, Sane, Does, Occasions

The sun does not shine for a few trees and flowers, but for the wide world's joy.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Flowers, World, Wide, Few

A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Life, Library, Necessities, Luxury

A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Thankful, Grateful, Never, Thinks

Pride slays thanksgiving, but a humble mind is the soil out of which thanks naturally grow. A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Humble, Thanksgiving, Which, Thinks

Well married a person has wings, poorly married shackles.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Marriage, Person, Poorly, Shackles

You cannot sift out the poor from the community. The poor are indispensable to the rich.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Rich, Poor, Cannot, Sift

Laughter is not a bad beginning for a friendship, and it is the best ending for one.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Friendship, Ending, Bad, Laughter

A church debt is the devil's salary.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Church, Salary, Devil, Debt

Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Thankful, Blossom, Which, Fairest

The most dangerous people are the ignorant.

- Henry Ward Beecher

People, Dangerous, Most, Ignorant

The ignorant classes are the dangerous classes.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Dangerous, Classes, Ignorant

The real democratic American idea is, not that every man shall be on a level with every other man, but that every man shall have liberty to be what God made him, without hindrance.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Other, Level, Idea, Hindrance

Expedients are for the hour, but principles are for the ages.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Hour, Ages, Principles

What we call wisdom is the result of all the wisdom of past ages. Our best institutions are like young trees growing upon the roots of the old trunks that have crumbled away.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Young, Away, Like, Ages

Riches are not an end of life, but an instrument of life.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Life, End, Instrument, Riches

A man's true state of power and riches is to be in himself.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Power, True, Himself, Riches

Now comes the mystery.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Now, Mystery

It is not well for a man to pray cream and live skim milk.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Man, Milk, Well, Cream

All ambitions are lawful except those that climb upward on the miseries or credulities of mankind.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Climb, Lawful, Miseries, Ambition

God asks no man whether he will accept life. That is not the choice. You must take it. The only choice is how.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Life, Will, Accept, Choice

The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Happiness, Art, Common, Common Things

The dog is the god of frolic.

- Henry Ward Beecher

God, Pet, Dog

The dog was created specially for children. He is a god of frolic.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Children, He, Created, Dog

The soul without imagination is what an observatory would be without a telescope.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Soul, Imagination, Would, Observatory

It is the heart that makes a man rich. He is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Man, Makes, According, Rich

He is rich or poor according to what he is, not according to what he has.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Poor, He, According, Rich

It is not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes us rich.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Give, Makes, Take, Rich

In this world it is not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes us rich.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Success, Give, Take, Rich

We steal if we touch tomorrow. It is God's.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Future, Tomorrow, Steal, Touch

A man that does not know how to be angry does not know how to be good.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Anger, How, Does, Angry

If a man cannot be a Christian in the place where he is, he cannot be a Christian anywhere.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Man, Cannot, Where, Christian

To know that one has a secret is to know half the secret itself.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Know, Itself, Half, Secret

Suffering is part of the divine idea.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Suffering, Idea, Part, Divine

Faith is spiritualized imagination.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Imagination, Faith

You have come into a hard world. I know of only one easy place in it, and that is the grave.

- Henry Ward Beecher

World, Know, Only, Grave

Books are not men and yet they stay alive.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Men, Stay, Books, Alive

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