Quotes from Hosea Ballou

The act of divine worship is the inestimable privilege of man, the only created being who bows in humility and adoration.

A true religious instinct never deprived man of one single joy; mournful faces and a sombre aspect are the conventional affectations of the weak-minded.

If gratitude is due from children to their earthly parent, how much more is the gratitude of the great family of men due to our father in heaven.

That alone can be called true refinement which elevates the soul of man, purifying the manners by improving the intellect.

Education commences at the mother's knee, and every word spoken within hearsay of little children tends toward the formation of character.

If we are at peace with God and our own conscience, what enemy among men need we fear?

Has not God borne with you these many years? Be ye tolerant to others.

As "unkindness has no remedy at law," let its avoidance be with you a point of honor.

Humanity, in the aggregate, is progressing, and philanthropy looks forward hopefully.

Between the humble and contrite heart and the majesty of Heaven there are no barriers; the only password is prayer.

There is nothing that needs to be said in an unkind manner.

Too many people embrace religion from the same motives that they take a companion in wedlock, not from true love of the person, but because of a large dowry.

Hypocrisy is oftenest clothed in the garb of religion.

Religion which requires persecution to sustain, it is of the devil's propagation.

The heavens and the earth, the woods and the wayside, teem with instruction and knowledge to the curious and thoughtful.

Experience is retrospect knowledge.

We must not only read the Scriptures, but we must make their rules of life our own.

Brevity and conciseness are the parents of correction.

Tears of joy are like the summer rain drops pierced by sunbeams.

Obedience, as it regards the social relations, the rules of society, and the laws of nature and nature's God, should commence at the cradle and end only at the tomb.

Preaching is to much avail, but practice is far more effective. A godly life is the strongest argument you can offer the skeptic.

All our possessions are as nothing compared to health, strength, and a clear conscience.

Be circumspect in your dealings, and let the seed you plant be the offspring of prudence and care; thus fruit follows the fair blossom, as honor follows a good life.

Our blessings are the least heeded, because the most common events of life.