William Wilberforce
William Wilberforce
William Wilberforcewas an English politician, philanthropist, and a leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade. A native of Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, he began his political career in 1780, eventually becoming the independent Member of Parliament for Yorkshire. In 1785, he became an Evangelical Christian, which resulted in major changes to his lifestyle and a lifelong concern for reform...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionPolitician
Date of Birth24 August 1759
William Wilberforce quotes about
christian silence ignorant
Let true Christians then, with becoming earnestness, strive in all things to recommend their profession, and to put to silence the vain scoffs of ignorant objectors.
men soul good-man
Surely the experience of all good men confirms the proposition that without a due measure of private devotions the soul will grow lean.
men heaven have-faith
Can you tell a plain man the road to heaven? Certainly, turn at once to the right, and then go straight forward.
men mind fruit
God has so made the mind of man that a peculiar deliciousness resides in the fruits of personal industry.
doctrine wealth natural
I continually find it necessary to guard against that natural love of wealth and grandeur which prompts us always, when we come to apply our general doctrine to our own case, to claim an exception.
country men rights
If any country were indeed filled with men, each thus diligently discharging the duties of his own station without breaking in upon the rights of others, but on the contrary endeavoring, so far as he might be able, to forward their views and promote their happiness, all would be active and harmonious in the goodly frame of human society.
years firsts purpose
The first years in Parliament I did nothing - nothing to any purpose. My own distinction was my darling object.
political estimating gains
If . . . a principle of true Religion [i.e., true Christianity] should . . . gain ground, there is no estimating the effects on public morals, and the consequent influence on our political welfare.
parliament serving-god nations
Can one serve God and one's nation in parliament?
thinking views looks
Wherever we direct our view, we discover the melancholy proofs of our depravity; whether we look to ancient or modern times, to barbarous or civilized nations, to the conduct of the world around us, or to the monitor within the breast; whether we read, or hear, or act, or think, or feel, the same humiliating lesson is forced upon us.
exercise men progress
Measure your progress by your experience of the love of God and its exercise before men.
gratitude joy looks
We can scarcely indeed look into any part of the sacred volume without meeting abundant proofs, that it is the religion of the Affections which God particularly requires. Love, Zeal, Gratitude, Joy, Hope, Trust, are each of them specified; and are not allowed to us as weaknesses, but enjoined on us as our bounden duty, and commended to us as our acceptable worship.
sunday blessing sea
O what a blessing is Sunday, interposed between the waves of worldly business like the divine path of the Israelites through the sea! There is nothing in which I would advise you to be more strictly conscientious than in keeping the Sabbath day holy. I can truly declare that to me the Sabbath has been invaluable.
pain taken idle
As much pains were taken to make me idle as were ever taken to make me studious.