William Channing
William Channing
less plan
It is better to plan less and do more
cannot clear comprehend form hidden ideas justly knowledge nature plant pretend properties reason simplest truth
We do not pretend to know the whole nature and properties of God, but still we can form some clear ideas of him, and can reason from these ideas as justly as from any other. The truth is, that we cannot be said to comprehend any being whatever, not the simplest plant or animal. All have hidden properties. Our knowledge of all is limited.
dream grandest light natural nature reality spiritual vanish
Man's spiritual nature is no dream of theologians to vanish before the light of natural science. It is the grandest reality on earth.
joyful men poet
Most joyful the Poet be; It is through him that all men see
expression literature mind
Literature -- the expression of a nation's mind in writing.
broken dare depths good highest human inward outward periods revolution seem undefined wants wisdom
There are seasons, in human affairs, of inward and outward revolution, when new depths seem to be broken up in the soul, when new wants are unfolded in multitudes, and a new and undefined good is thirsted for. These are periods when...to dare is the highest wisdom.
cultivated fidelity integrity recognized seeking strong
The only distinctions which should be recognized are those of the soul, of strong principle, or incorruptible integrity, of usefulness, of cultivated intellect, of fidelity in seeking the truth.
grow love others
We grow by love . . . others are our nutriment.
blessings cute-love forward love power replace sweet-love time
We look forward to the time when the power to love will replace the love of power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace.
blessings forward love power replace time
We look forward to the time when the power to love will replace the love of power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace.
diseased expressed grandeur great indeed interest man mass nature outward sight strong turns
I have expressed my strong interest in the mass of the people; and this is founded, not on their usefulness to the community, so much as on what they are in themselves.... Indeed every man (sic), in every condition, is great. It is only our own diseased sight which makes him little. A man is great as a man, be he where or what he may. The grandeur of his nature turns to insignificance all outward distinctions.
educated education
He is to be educated not because he's to make shoes, nails, and pins, but because he is a man.
chain divine great possesses powers slavish soul
He who possesses the divine powers of the soul is a great being, be his place what it may. You may clothe him with rags, may immure him in a dungeon, may chain him to slavish tasks. But he is still great . . . .
breathed earth great ideas influence man
Ideas are the mightiest influence on earth. One great thought breathed into a man may regenerate him.