Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

79 Motivational Quotations By Henry Ward Beecher

Famous As: Clergyman, Preacher & Abolitionist
Born On: June 24, 1813
Died On: March 8, 1887
Born In: Litchfield, Connecticut, U.S
Died At Age: 73

Henry Ward Beecher was a Congregationalist clergyman, author, public speaker and social activist, from the U.S, who lived in the 19th century and is particularly well known for his vocal support for abolition of slavery. His father, Lyman Beecher was a widely admired evangelist and Henry Ward Beecher followed in his footsteps after graduating from the Lane Theological Seminary. Beecher was however, most well-known and admired for his stand on slavery and his calls for abolition of the practice was extremely well argued in an article titled ‘Shall we Compromise’. In fact, his thoughts and oratory skills were so well developed that Abraham Lincoln sent him on a speaking tour to countries in Europe in order to argue the case against slavery. In addition to his views on slavery, Beecher also became a key member of the women’s suffrage movement and eventually went on to head the American Women Suffrage Association. Beecher was also an accomplished writer and editor, who published a number of books, articles, and essays. He also edited the periodical named ‘The Independent’ for a while. Needless to say, Henry Ward Beecher was one of the most influential men of his time and a great orator. Henry Ward Beecher delivered many speeches and his quotes have been excerpted from all his speeches, writings and lectures. Read on the collection of quotations and sayings by Henry Ward Beecher on quarrel, selfishness, sanity, death, heaven, paradise, life, inspiration, judgment and discipline.

Where is human nature so weak as in the bookstore?

Where is human nature so weak as in the bookstore?

Henry Ward Beecher
We should not judge people by their peak of excellence; but by the distance they have traveled from the point where they started.

We should not judge people by their peak of excellence; but by the distance they have traveled from the point where they started.

Henry Ward Beecher
Books are not made for furniture, but there is nothing else that so beautifully furnishes a house.

Books are not made for furniture, but there is nothing else that so beautifully furnishes a house.

Henry Ward Beecher
The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but the thankful heart will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings.

The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but the thankful heart will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings.

Henry Ward Beecher
Never forget what a man says to you when he is angry.

Never forget what a man says to you when he is angry.

Henry Ward Beecher
‎Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody else expects of you. Never excuse yourself. Never pity yourself. Be a hard master to yourself-and be lenient to everybody else.

‎Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody else expects of you. Never excuse yourself. Never pity yourself. Be a hard master to yourself-and be lenient to everybody else.

Henry Ward Beecher
All words are pegs to hang ideas on.

All words are pegs to hang ideas on.

Henry Ward Beecher
Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.

Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.

Henry Ward Beecher
A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life.

A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life.

Henry Ward Beecher
The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things.

The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things.

Henry Ward Beecher
Love cannot endure indifference. It needs to be wanted. Like a lamp, it needs to be fed out of the oil of another's heart, or its flame burns low.

Love cannot endure indifference. It needs to be wanted. Like a lamp, it needs to be fed out of the oil of another's heart, or its flame burns low.

Henry Ward Beecher
The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is, that one often comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won't.

The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is, that one often comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won't.

Henry Ward Beecher
A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs, jolted by every pebble in the road.

A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs, jolted by every pebble in the road.

Henry Ward Beecher
Adversity, if for no other reason, is of benefit, since it is sure to bring a season of sober reflection. People see clearer at such times. Storms purify the atmosphere.

Adversity, if for no other reason, is of benefit, since it is sure to bring a season of sober reflection. People see clearer at such times. Storms purify the atmosphere.

Henry Ward Beecher
Hold yourself to a higher standard than anyone else expects of you. Never excuse yourself.

Hold yourself to a higher standard than anyone else expects of you. Never excuse yourself.

Henry Ward Beecher
Now comes the mystery! (last words)

Now comes the mystery! (last words)

Henry Ward Beecher
There are more quarrels smothered by just shutting your mouth, and holding it shut, than by all the wisdom in the world.

There are more quarrels smothered by just shutting your mouth, and holding it shut, than by all the wisdom in the world.

Henry Ward Beecher
No man is more cheated than the selfish man.

No man is more cheated than the selfish man.

Henry Ward Beecher
Troubles are often the tools by which God fashions us for better things.

Troubles are often the tools by which God fashions us for better things.

Henry Ward Beecher
No man is sane who does not know how to be insane on the proper occasions.

No man is sane who does not know how to be insane on the proper occasions." Henry Ward Beecher

Henry Ward Beecher
There is no friendship, no love, like that of the mother for the child.

There is no friendship, no love, like that of the mother for the child.

Henry Ward Beecher
Greatness lies not in being strong, but in the right use of strength.

Greatness lies not in being strong, but in the right use of strength.

Henry Ward Beecher
Young love is a flame; very pretty, often very hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. The love of the older and disciplined heart is as coals, deep burning, unquenchable.

Young love is a flame; very pretty, often very hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. The love of the older and disciplined heart is as coals, deep burning, unquenchable.

Henry Ward Beecher
I never knew how to worship until I knew how to love.

I never knew how to worship until I knew how to love.

Henry Ward Beecher
Books are the windows through
which the soul looks out.

Books are the windows through which the soul looks out.

Henry Ward Beecher
A little library, growing every year, is an honorable part of a man’s history. It is a man’s duty to have books.

A little library, growing every year, is an honorable part of a man’s history. It is a man’s duty to have books.

Henry Ward Beecher
I can forgive, but I cannot forget, is only another way of saying, I will not forgive. Forgiveness ought to be like a cancelled note - torn in two, and burned up, so that it never can be shown against one.

I can forgive, but I cannot forget, is only another way of saying, I will not forgive. Forgiveness ought to be like a cancelled note - torn in two, and burned up, so that it never can be shown against one.

Henry Ward Beecher
If a man harbors any sort of fear, it percolates through all his thinking, damages his personality, makes him landlord to a ghost.

If a man harbors any sort of fear, it percolates through all his thinking, damages his personality, makes him landlord to a ghost.

Henry Ward Beecher
No man can tell whether he is rich or poor by turning to his ledger. It is in the heart that makes a man rich. He is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has

No man can tell whether he is rich or poor by turning to his ledger. It is in the heart that makes a man rich. He is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has

Henry Ward Beecher
Alas! Where is human nature so weak as in the book-store?

Alas! Where is human nature so weak as in the book-store?

Henry Ward Beecher