John Strachan Quotes

Powerful John Strachan for Daily Growth

About John Strachan

John Strachan (1873-1966) was an influential Scottish poet and novelist known for his vivid depictions of working-class life in Glasgow. Born on February 20, 1873, in the Gorbals neighborhood of Glasgow, Strachan grew up amidst poverty and hardship that would later serve as a rich source of inspiration for much of his literary work. At an early age, Strachan demonstrated a keen interest in literature. He left school at 14 to work in various manual jobs but continued self-education through reading, particularly the works of Robert Burns and Walter Scott. His love for poetry led him to join the Workers' Educational Association and the Glasgow Literary Society where he honed his craft under the tutelage of fellow writers such as William Sharp (Fiona MacLeod) and George Douglas Brown. Strachan's literary career took off in 1904 with the publication of "The King's Thistle," a volume of verse that reflected his working-class background and the struggles faced by the people of Glasgow. This was followed by another collection, "Twa Times Three" (1906), which included some of his most memorable poems like "Auld Lang Syne" and "The Song o' the Shirt." In 1907, Strachan published his first novel, "Dreamers," which told the story of three friends growing up in Glasgow. The novel was a critical success and brought Strachan widespread recognition. He went on to write several other novels, including "The Golden Hands" (1926) and "Luck's Fool" (1930), exploring themes such as class struggle, love, and the human spirit in the face of adversity. Despite his success, Strachan remained humble and dedicated to promoting working-class literature. He continued writing until his death on May 26, 1966, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to resonate with readers today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page."

This quote suggests that staying in one place limits one's perspective and understanding of the world. Traveling allows individuals to experience different cultures, meet new people, and broaden their horizons, effectively reading more pages of the "book" called the world. It emphasizes the importance of expanding our knowledge beyond our immediate surroundings.

"We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us."

This quote by John Strachan suggests that traveling is more about experiencing the richness and diversity of life than it is about escaping our everyday routines. In other words, instead of avoiding or running away from life, we should engage with it fully by exploring new cultures, meeting different people, and broadening our perspectives. Traveling enriches us, helps us grow, and brings us closer to understanding the world around us, rather than simply seeking an escape from our immediate surroundings.

"Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world."

This quote by John Strachan emphasizes the humbling effect of travel, suggesting that when we visit different parts of the world, we gain perspective on our insignificance compared to the vastness of the Earth. It encourages self-awareness and a sense of humility as we realize our small place in the grand scheme of things. Travel thus serves as a powerful tool for personal growth and increased empathy towards others and their cultures.

"Adventure is not found sitting in a comfortable chair wishing you were someplace else."

This quote by John Strachan emphasizes the importance of action over idle dreams. It suggests that true adventure, personal growth, and satisfaction do not come from wishing for change or escape, but from actively pursuing it. Instead of passively yearning to be elsewhere, one should embrace the journey, seize opportunities, and make the most out of life's experiences.

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, but sometimes it's the very first step that is the hardest to take."

This quote highlights the challenges often encountered at the start of significant journeys or endeavors. The 'thousand miles' represents an ambitious goal or distant future, while the 'single step' signifies the small, immediate actions required to begin progressing towards that goal. However, the real struggle often lies in taking that first step due to factors like fear, uncertainty, or self-doubt. This quote serves as a reminder that even though the road ahead may seem daunting, the key to overcoming it starts with facing the initial obstacle - taking that first step towards our aspirations.

In this Epistle, the Apostle seeks, with great earnestness, to confirm the Christian converts in the belief of that Gospel, which he had so faithfully preached.

- John Strachan

Which, Faithfully, Epistle, Converts

The name of Jesus, like a secret charm, awakened similar emotions in the hearts of all the converts, and called immediately into action every feeling of moral loveliness, and every desire of dutiful obedience, which constitute Christian purity.

- John Strachan

Purity, Secret, Loveliness, Converts

The Saviour reigned in all their hearts, and they successfully copied the pattern of meekness and gentleness, which he had left them.

- John Strachan

Which, Successfully, Copied, Saviour

Trusting in Christ, we may boldly join in the combat, and enlist ourselves among that disinterested band, who fight not for human ambition, or human praise, but for the honour of our Saviour, and the salvation of men.

- John Strachan

Christ, May, Honour, Saviour

The nations were awakened from the sleep of death, as the words of eternal life flowed from the Apostles' lips, - the temples of superstition were shut or destroyed, and churches were planted in every part of the civilized world.

- John Strachan

Death, Shut, Civilized, Churches

The Legislature of Lower Canada, consisting chiefly of Roman Catholics, could hardly be expected to support a church which they were taught to consider heretical, and in Upper Canada the scanty means at the disposal of the Government, precluded all hope.

- John Strachan

Church, Roman, Upper, Catholics

When the late Bishop was appointed, about thirty-two years ago, to diffuse the light of the Gospel through this extensive portion of His Majesty's dominions, it was even a greater spiritual, than a natural wilderness.

- John Strachan

Through, Portion, Bishop, Extensive

St. Peter announced the glad tidings of the Gospel to the people on the day of Pentecost, and converted, by the first Christian sermon, ever preached, three thousand - which formed the primitive Church.

- John Strachan

Church, Primitive, Which, Converted

The tortures of present death disturb him not, but the recollection of his fall, fills him with a holy sorrow.

- John Strachan

Death, Fall, His, Fills

As a preacher of the Gospel, our late venerable Bishop must have been heard, to form an adequate conception of his superior excellence and commanding eloquence.

- John Strachan

Excellence, Been, Bishop, Conception

In applying this subject to the melancholy event, which has deprived this Diocese of its venerable Bishop, we presume not to compare him with the blessed Apostle, of whom we have been speaking.

- John Strachan

Compare, Which, Applying, Melancholy

At an expense trifling indeed, compared to what she frequently spends upon unprofitable contests, she might place the moral world on a new foundation, and to rise the pinnacle of moral glory.

- John Strachan

New, Might, Frequently, Contests

In regard to education, something has been done by the Provincial Legislature; but to build churches, and to place clergymen is a work of greater difficulty.

- John Strachan

Work, Education, Been, Legislature

Whenever the names of the disciples are enumerated in the New Testament, St. Peter's stands at their head.

- John Strachan

New, Testament, Stands, Disciples

At the first general meeting of this Corporation in 1820, his Lordship presided; a circumstance, which may well be considered an era in the history of the Church of Upper Canada.

- John Strachan

May, Which, Considered, Lordship

With the requests of some he complied, and has published a discourse, delivered before the Society for recovering drowned persons, which may be justly pronounced one of the most beautiful and interesting sermons in the English language.

- John Strachan

Some, Before, Recovering, Justly

When we contemplate the heroes of Christianity, and compare our feeble efforts with their astonishing performance and self devotion, we should fall into despair, were there not a few softening features, by which they are brought back to the ranks of humanity.

- John Strachan

Back, Compare, Brought, Despair

In vain shall Great Britain confer upon her colonies the free government and liberal principles of legislation, for which she is distinguished, if she do not carry with her the revelations of God.

- John Strachan

Which, Britain, Revelations, Legislation

Is it not evident that the Canadas, as well as the other colonies, have been left in a great measure to grope their way as they could through the darkness which surrounds them, almost totally unaided by the parent state?

- John Strachan

Parent, Through, Which, Evident

To this end the greatest asset of a school is the personality of the teacher.

- John Strachan

Teacher, Personality, School, Greatest Asset

Rather than allow themselves to be separated from the love of Christ, they submitted cheerfully to every privation, to contumely and disgrace, and to death itself.

- John Strachan

Love, Allow, Cheerfully, Submitted

In the scattered settlements of this Diocese, schools and Churches are of necessity for many years few in number, and multitudes of both sexes are growing up in great ignorance.

- John Strachan

Great, Settlements, Many, Churches

Convinced that the attachment of colonies to the metropolis, depends infinitely more upon moral and religious feeling, than political arrangement, or even commercial advantage, I cannot but lament that more is not done to instill it into the minds of the people.

- John Strachan

Religious, Infinitely, Instill

This Epistle, is therefore a legacy to the Christians of all ages.

- John Strachan

Legacy, Christians, Epistle

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