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John Henry Newman Quotes

Powerful John Henry Newman for Daily Growth

About John Henry Newman

John Henry Newman (1801-1890) was an eminent Anglican cleric and scholarly figure who later converted to Roman Catholicism and was eventually made a Cardinal in the Church of Rome. Born on February 21, 1801, in London, England, he was the seventh child of John Newman, a banker, and Jemima Forsyth. His early education began at home before attending Trinity School, Ealing, and later Trinity College, Oxford, where he displayed an exceptional intellect and was deeply influenced by the Tractarian movement. In 1825, Newman published his first major work, 'Tracts for the Times,' a series of essays that promoted the return to pre-Reformation practices within the Anglican Church. This led to him being known as one of the "Oxford Movement" leaders. However, growing disillusioned with the Anglican Church's doctrinal uncertainties, Newman and several colleagues left Oxford for Rome in 1845. He was received into the Catholic Church on October 7, 1845, a decision that shook the Church of England and made worldwide headlines. After his conversion, Newman founded the Birmingham Oratory, a center for prayer and study, and devoted himself to preaching and writing. In 1879, he was elevated to the rank of Cardinal by Pope Leo XIII, making him the first Englishman to become a cardinal in over 200 years. Newman's most influential work is arguably 'The Idea of a University,' published in 1852, which explored education as an end in itself and emphasized the importance of character development alongside academic achievement. His autobiography, 'Apologia Pro Vita Sua,' written between 1864 and 1865, is another seminal work that provides a unique insight into his life and faith journey. Newman's impact on both Anglicanism and Catholicism cannot be overstated, making him one of the most significant figures in religious history. He died on August 11, 1890, at the age of 89, leaving behind a rich legacy as a writer, thinker, and reformer.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"God has created me to do Him some definite service;

This quote by John Henry Newman suggests that each individual has a unique purpose in life, predetermined by God, to fulfill a specific service or role in the world. It encourages the belief that every person's existence and abilities are not accidental, but rather part of a grand design where they serve a higher calling. Essentially, it implies that we are all created with a unique mission, and it is our responsibility to discover and live out this purpose faithfully.

He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission - I never may know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next."

This quote by John Henry Newman suggests that each person has a unique purpose or "mission" in life, a special role that is exclusively assigned to them. We might not fully understand our mission during our lifetime, but it will become clear to us in the afterlife. This idea underscores the notion of individuality and the belief that every person's life holds significance within a larger divine plan or purpose.

"Lord, increase our faith."

This quote by John Henry Newman, a renowned English theologian and cardinal, is a prayer for deeper and stronger faith. It expresses a desire to grow in one's spiritual understanding and commitment to God, implying that faith is not static but a dynamic process of growth and maturity. The prayer invokes the divine assistance necessary for this journey, suggesting a humble recognition that human effort alone cannot increase faith effectively. In essence, it is a call to deepen one's relationship with God, and trust in His guidance and grace throughout the spiritual journey.

"We are not to expect to be understood, or that men should agree with us; but we are to agree with truth."

This quote by John Henry Newman emphasizes the importance of aligning oneself with truth, rather than seeking understanding or agreement from others. It suggests that individuals should strive for integrity and adherence to factual accuracy, regardless of whether their beliefs are widely accepted or not. In other words, it's more important to be true to oneself and the truth, even when facing disagreement or misunderstanding from others.

"If I have brought any good thing in the course of my life, if it is any part of me, anything that has become mine by long possession, it has been in silence, watchfulness, patience."

This quote by John Henry Newman highlights the value he places on quiet, contemplative living as a means to personal growth and self-improvement. He suggests that any good qualities he may have acquired throughout his life were developed through silent introspection, watchfulness (awareness and mindfulness), and patience. In other words, it is the steady cultivation of these virtues in solitude that ultimately shapes who we are as individuals.

"A man may imagine things that are false, but he can only understand things that are true, for if the things be false, the apprehension of them is not understanding."

This quote suggests that while individuals may have the ability to create or conceive ideas that are untrue (imagination), they can only comprehend or truly grasp concepts that align with reality (truth). In other words, a false idea, by definition, cannot be fully understood as it contradicts facts and reality. The process of understanding involves aligning our thoughts with truthful knowledge, which is essential for meaningful learning and growth.

In this world no one rules by love; if you are but amiable, you are no hero; to be powerful, you must be strong, and to have dominion you must have a genius for organizing.

- John Henry Newman

Love, Strong, Amiable, Dominion

If we insist on being as sure as is conceivable... we must be content to creep along the ground, and never soar.

- John Henry Newman

Never, Sure, Along, Insist

Nothing would be done at all if one waited until one could do it so well that no one could find fault with it.

- John Henry Newman

Nothing, Fault, Could, Waited

A man would do nothing if he waited until he could do it so well that no one could find fault.

- John Henry Newman

Nothing, Fault, Could, Waited

From the age of fifteen, dogma has been the fundamental principle of my religion: I know no other religion; I cannot enter into the idea of any other sort of religion; religion, as a mere sentiment, is to me a dream and a mockery.

- John Henry Newman

Been, Fifteen, Sentiment, Mockery

To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often.

- John Henry Newman

Life, Change, Perfect, Changed

Let us take things as we find them: let us not attempt to distort them into what they are not... We cannot make facts. All our wishing cannot change them. We must use them.

- John Henry Newman

Change, Use, We Cannot, Distort

A great memory is never made synonymous with wisdom, any more than a dictionary would be called a treatise.

- John Henry Newman

Memory, More, Made, Synonymous

There is such a thing as legitimate warfare: war has its laws; there are things which may fairly be done, and things which may not be done.

- John Henry Newman

Laws, May, Which, Such A Thing

Men will die upon dogma but will not fall victim to a conclusion.

- John Henry Newman

Die, Fall, Conclusion, Victim

Evil has no substance of its own, but is only the defect, excess, perversion, or corruption of that which has substance.

- John Henry Newman

Excess, Defect, Which, Corruption

To holy people the very name of Jesus is a name to feed upon, a name to transport. His name can raise the dead and transfigure and beautify the living.

- John Henry Newman

Living, Holy, Very, Transport

Virtue is its own reward, and brings with it the truest and highest pleasure; but if we cultivate it only for pleasure's sake, we are selfish, not religious, and will never gain the pleasure, because we can never have the virtue.

- John Henry Newman

Reward, Religious, Truest, Sake

It is as absurd to argue men, as to torture them, into believing.

- John Henry Newman

Men, Argue, Absurd, Torture

We must make up our minds to be ignorant of much, if we would know anything.

- John Henry Newman

Ignorant, Minds, Would, Make Up

Nothing is more common than for men to think that because they are familiar with words they understand the ideas they stand for.

- John Henry Newman

Think, Nothing, More, Familiar

Let us act on what we have, since we have not what we wish.

- John Henry Newman

Wisdom, Wish, Let Us, Since

Calculation never made a hero.

- John Henry Newman

Hero, Never, Made, Calculation

We can believe what we choose. We are answerable for what we choose to believe.

- John Henry Newman

Brainy, Believe, Choose, Answerable

Ten thousand difficulties do not make one doubt.

- John Henry Newman

Doubt, Difficulties, Make, Ten

If we are intended for great ends, we are called to great hazards.

- John Henry Newman

Great, Intended, Ends, Hazards

It is very difficult to get up resentment towards persons whom one has never seen.

- John Henry Newman

Never, Very, Persons, Whom

Growth is the only evidence of life.

- John Henry Newman

Life, Only, Evidence, Growth

It is almost the definition of a gentleman to say that he is one who never inflicts pain.

- John Henry Newman

Pain, Never, Almost, Definition

It is almost a definition of a gentleman to say that he is one who never inflicts pain.

- John Henry Newman

Pain, Never, Almost, Definition

It is often said that second thoughts are best. So they are in matters of judgment but not in matters of conscience.

- John Henry Newman

Thoughts, Judgment, Matters

A great memory does not make a mind, any more than a dictionary is a piece of literature.

- John Henry Newman

Memory, Mind, Dictionary, Literature

Fear not that thy life shall come to an end, but rather that it shall never have a beginning.

- John Henry Newman

Beginning, Never, Thy, Shall

The love of our private friends is the only preparatory exercise for the love of all men.

- John Henry Newman

Love, Men, Only, Private

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