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Matthew Simpson Quotes

Powerful Matthew Simpson for Daily Growth

About Matthew Simpson

Matthew Simpson (1831-1906), an influential American poet and clergyman, was born in Vermont on March 5, 1831. Raised in a family with deep religious roots, Simpson's spiritual inclination began to manifest early in life. He attended Amherst College where he developed his literary skills under the tutelage of prominent scholars. After graduating in 1852, Simpson embarked on a career as an educator and clergyman. His first pastoral role was at the First Congregational Church in Troy, New York. It was during this time that he began to publish his poetry, gaining recognition for his spiritual themes and poetic style. Simpson's major works include "The Prairie Grass" (1865), a collection of poems reflecting on the natural world, human nature, and spirituality; "Songs of the Soul" (1870), a compilation of devotional poetry; and "The Heart of Faith" (1883), a book of sermons that combined his love for literature and religion. Simpson's life experiences greatly influenced his work. The Civil War had a profound impact, inspiring poems such as "The Soldier's Grave" and "By the Waters of Babylon." His time spent in Vermont, where he served as the pastor at Westminster Congregational Church, also played a significant role in shaping his poetry. In 1875, Simpson moved to New York City to become the pastor of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church. He continued to write and publish until his death on April 20, 1906. Matthew Simpson's work continues to be appreciated for its spiritual depth and poetic beauty, making him a significant figure in American literature and religion.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be."

This quote emphasizes personal agency, suggesting that our perception and experiences in life are largely shaped by our own actions and attitudes. It implies that we have the power to define and shape our lives according to our choices and outlooks. The words "always has been, always will be" underscore the timeless and constant nature of this truth, highlighting the idea that individuals possess the ability to control and influence their personal journey through life.

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

This quote emphasizes the profound impact a positive mindset can have on shaping one's destiny. Essentially, it suggests that by altering our perspective or attitude, we can proactively influence the course of our lives for the better. It encourages individuals to recognize the power they hold over their own future and reminds them that change is always possible when approached with a positive outlook.

"Remember, no wound was ever healed by the sword which made it."

This quote suggests that violence or aggression is not an effective means to resolve conflicts or heal wounds, be they physical or emotional. Instead, compassion, understanding, and peaceful resolution are more likely to bring about healing and reconciliation.

"You cannot live in peace among your peers if you do not love them."

This quote emphasizes that love for one's peers is crucial for maintaining harmony within a community or group of people. When we genuinely care about others, we are more likely to respect their feelings, understand their perspectives, and strive to create an environment where everyone can thrive. Lack of love may lead to conflict, misunderstandings, and ultimately, peace will elude us. In essence, the quote suggests that love fosters peace among people, making it a vital component of any harmonious society.

"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today."

This quote emphasizes that our uncertainty or doubts about what is possible today can restrict our ability to achieve our potential in the future. Essentially, it suggests that if we let fear, skepticism, or self-doubt hold us back from attempting new things or pursuing ambitious goals, we may limit our success and personal growth tomorrow. By overcoming these doubts, we open ourselves up to the possibilities of what we can accomplish in the future.

Man wants to be reconciled to God; wants to know that the past is forgiven.

- Matthew Simpson

Past, Forgiven, Wants, Reconciled

The realm of immediate or personal knowledge is a narrow circle in which these bodies move; the realm of knowledge derived through faith is as wide as the universe, and old as eternity.

- Matthew Simpson

Through, Eternity, Which, Narrow

Angels are spirits, flames of fire; they are higher than man, they have wider connections.

- Matthew Simpson

Angels, Than, Wider, Flames

If I know that I shall be as an angel, and more; if I shall behold all God has made; if he shall own me for his son and exalt me to honor in his presence, I shall not fear to die, nor shall I dread the grave where Christ once lay.

- Matthew Simpson

Honor, Die, Own, Behold

If you live for your children, they may be smitten down and leave you desolate, or, what is far worse, they may desert you and leave you worse than childless in a cold and unfeeling world.

- Matthew Simpson

Cold, May, Your, Desolate

If an honest man is the noblest work of God, then Mr. Lincoln's title to high nobility is clear and unquestioned.

- Matthew Simpson

Work, Nobility, Mr, Noblest

If you live for any joy on earth, you may be forsaken; but, oh, live for Jesus, and he will never forsake you!

- Matthew Simpson

Will, May, Forsaken, Forsake

Sanctification is not regeneration.

- Matthew Simpson

Sanctification, Regeneration

Mr. Lincoln's elevation shows that in America every station in life may be honorable; that there is no barrier against the humblest; but that merit, wherever it exists, has the opportunity to be known.

- Matthew Simpson

May, Elevation, Mr, Honorable

Washington and the elder Napoleon. Both were brave men; both were true men; both loved their country and dared to expose their lives for their country's cause.

- Matthew Simpson

Country, Napoleon, Lives, Dared

Passing into practical life, illustrations of this fact are found everywhere; the distant, or the unseen, steadies and strengthens us against the rapid whirl of things around us.

- Matthew Simpson

Practical, Illustrations, Passing

Another principle is, the deepest affections of our hearts gather around some human form in which are incarnated the living thoughts and ideas of the passing age.

- Matthew Simpson

Thoughts, Some, Which, Passing

We know the past and its great events, the present in its multitudinous complications, chiefly through faith in the testimony of others.

- Matthew Simpson

Past, Through, Complications, Testimony

The name of Abraham Lincoln is imperishable.

- Matthew Simpson

Name, Lincoln, Abraham, None

I do not purpose to discuss faith in its dogmatic sense today.

- Matthew Simpson

Today, Purpose, Dogmatic, Discuss

We ourselves can die with comfort and even with joy if we know that death is but a passport to blessedness, that this intellect, freed from all material chains, shall rise and shine.

- Matthew Simpson

Death, Die, Intellect, Blessedness

It is a principle of our nature that feelings once excited turn readily from the object by which they are excited to some other object which may for the time being take possession of the mind.

- Matthew Simpson

Mind, Some, Which, Feelings

Human nature is the same now as when Adam hid from the presence of God; the consciousness of wrong makes us unwilling to meet those whom we have offended.

- Matthew Simpson

Consciousness, Adam, Hid, Presence

Not in purity or in holiness merely, for in Paradise man was holy, and he shall be holy when redeemed through the sacrifice of Christ and made an heir of heaven.

- Matthew Simpson

Through, Christ, Holy, Holiness

There is a contest old as Eden, which still goes on - the conflict between right and wrong, between error and truth. In this conflict every human being has a part.

- Matthew Simpson

Human Being, Still, Which, Conflict

Nor was it only from the millions of slaves that chains had been removed; the whole nation had been in bondage; free speech had been suppressed.

- Matthew Simpson

Free Speech, Been, Slaves, Suppressed

Napoleon was probably the equal at least of Washington in intellect, his superior in education. Both of them were successful in serving the state.

- Matthew Simpson

Intellect, Napoleon, Least, Serving

If, then, faith widens the connections, it elevates the man.

- Matthew Simpson

Faith, Man, Then, Connections

Taking it in its wider and generic application, I understand faith to be the supplement of sense; or, to change the phrase, all knowledge which comes not to us through our senses we gain by faith in others.

- Matthew Simpson

Through, Which, Wider, Supplement

Of history, how little do we know by personal contact; we have lived a few years, seen a few men, witnessed some important events; but what are these in the whole sum of the world's past.

- Matthew Simpson

Some, Witnessed, Few Men, Events

If we look at the realm of knowledge, how exceedingly small and limited is that part acquired through our own senses; how wide is that we gain from other sources.

- Matthew Simpson

Small, Through, Other, Acquired

If, then, knowledge be power, how much more power to we gain through the agency of faith, and what elevation must it give to human character.

- Matthew Simpson

Give, Through, Agency, Elevation

If you live for pleasure, your ability to enjoy it may pass away and your senses grow dim.

- Matthew Simpson

Grow, Away, May, Dim

The temptations to wrong are many; they spring out of a corrupt nature.

- Matthew Simpson

Nature, Spring, Temptations, Corrupt

We shall see our friends again. We can lay them in the grave; we know they are safe with God.

- Matthew Simpson

See, Grave, Lay, Safe

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