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
The soul without imagination is what an observatory would be without a telescope.

The soul without imagination is what an observatory would be without a telescope.

Henry Ward Beecher
Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith.

Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith.

Henry Ward Beecher
A little library, growing larger every year, is an honourable part of a man's history. It is a man's duty to have books. A library is not a luxury, but one of the necessaries of life.

A little library, growing larger every year, is an honourable part of a man's history. It is a man's duty to have books. A library is not a luxury, but one of the necessaries of life.

Henry Ward Beecher
Of all the music that reached farthest into heaven, it is the beating of a loving heart

Of all the music that reached farthest into heaven, it is the beating of a loving heart

Henry Ward Beecher
A world without a Sabbath would be like a man without a smile, like summer without flowers, and like a homestead without a garden. It is the most joyous day of the week.

A world without a Sabbath would be like a man without a smile, like summer without flowers, and like a homestead without a garden. It is the most joyous day of the week.

Henry Ward Beecher
Tears are often the telescope by which men see far into heaven.

Tears are often the telescope by which men see far into heaven.

Henry Ward Beecher
Pride slays thanksgiving ... A prideful man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves.

Pride slays thanksgiving ... A prideful man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves.

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

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

Henry Ward Beecher
It's easier to go down a hill than up it but the view is much better at the top.

It's easier to go down a hill than up it but the view is much better at the top.

Henry Ward Beecher
Whatever is almost true is quite false, and among the most dangerous of errors, because being so near truth, it is more likely to lead astray.

Whatever is almost true is quite false, and among the most dangerous of errors, because being so near truth, it is more likely to lead astray.

Henry Ward Beecher
If men had wings and bore black feathers, Few of them would be clever enough to be crows.

If men had wings and bore black feathers, Few of them would be clever enough to be crows.

Henry Ward Beecher
Flowers are the sweetest things God ever made and forgot to put a soul into.

Flowers are the sweetest things God ever made and forgot to put a soul into.

Henry Ward Beecher
No emotion, any more than a wave, can long retain its own individual form.

No emotion, any more than a wave, can long retain its own individual form.

Henry Ward Beecher
Books are the windows through which the soul looks out. A home without books is like a room without windows.

Books are the windows through which the soul looks out. A home without books is like a room without windows.

Henry Ward Beecher
Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.

Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.

Henry Ward Beecher
There is a temperate zone in the mind, between luxurious indolence and exacting work; and it is to this region, just between laziness and labor, that summer reading belongs.

There is a temperate zone in the mind, between luxurious indolence and exacting work; and it is to this region, just between laziness and labor, that summer reading belongs.

Henry Ward Beecher
A little library, growing larger every year, is an honorable part of a man's possessions. A library is not a luxury. It is one of the necessities of a full life.

A little library, growing larger every year, is an honorable part of a man's possessions. A library is not a luxury. It is one of the necessities of a full life.

Henry Ward Beecher
A book is good company. It is full of conversation without loquacity. It comes to your longing with full instruction, but pursues you never.

A book is good company. It is full of conversation without loquacity. It comes to your longing with full instruction, but pursues you never.

Henry Ward Beecher
God asks no man whether he will accept life. That is not a choice. You must take it. The only question is how.

God asks no man whether he will accept life. That is not a choice. You must take it. The only question is how.

Henry Ward Beecher
In this world it is not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes us rich.

In this world it is not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes us rich.

Henry Ward Beecher
Men's best successes come after their disappointments.

Men's best successes come after their disappointments.

Henry Ward Beecher
The first hour of the morning, is the rudder of the day.

The first hour of the morning, is the rudder of the day.

Henry Ward Beecher
To the great tree-loving fraternity we belong. We love trees with universal and unfeigned love, and all things that do grow under them or around them - the whole leaf and root tribe.

To the great tree-loving fraternity we belong. We love trees with universal and unfeigned love, and all things that do grow under them or around them - the whole leaf and root tribe.

Henry Ward Beecher
A mother's heart is the child's schoolroom.

A mother's heart is the child's schoolroom.

Henry Ward Beecher
The ability to convert ideas to things is the secret to outward success.

The ability to convert ideas to things is the secret to outward success.

Henry Ward Beecher
Each book has a secret history of ways and means.

Each book has a secret history of ways and means.

Henry Ward Beecher
We never know the love of a parent till we become parents ourselves.

We never know the love of a parent till we become parents ourselves.

Henry Ward Beecher
When a nation's young men are conservative, its funeral bell is already rung.

When a nation's young men are conservative, its funeral bell is already rung.

Henry Ward Beecher
Rain! whose soft architectural hands have power to cut stones, and chisel to shapes of grandeur the very mountains.

Rain! whose soft architectural hands have power to cut stones, and chisel to shapes of grandeur the very mountains.

Henry Ward Beecher
There are three schoolmasters for everybody that will employ them - the senses, intelligent companions, and books.

There are three schoolmasters for everybody that will employ them - the senses, intelligent companions, and books.

Henry Ward Beecher
Death is the dropping of the flower, that the fruit may, swell.

Death is the dropping of the flower, that the fruit may, swell.

Henry Ward Beecher
The indolent mind is not empty, but full of vermin.

The indolent mind is not empty, but full of vermin.

Henry Ward Beecher
Well married, a man is winged—ill-matched, he is shackled.

Well married, a man is winged—ill-matched, he is shackled.

Henry Ward Beecher
Love is the river of life in the world.

Love is the river of life in the world.

Henry Ward Beecher
Every artist dips his brush into his own soul.

Every artist dips his brush into his own soul.

Henry Ward Beecher
It is the heart that makes a man rich. He is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has.

It is the heart that makes a man rich. He is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has.

Henry Ward Beecher
A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs. It's jolted by every pebble on the road.

Henry Ward Beecher

A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs. It's jolted by every pebble on the road. Henry Ward Beecher

Henry Ward Beecher
A man that does not know how to be angry does not know how to be good.

A man that does not know how to be angry does not know how to be good.

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

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

Henry Ward Beecher
Selfishness is that detestable vice which no one will forgive in others, and no one is without himself.

Selfishness is that detestable vice which no one will forgive in others, and no one is without himself.

Henry Ward Beecher
The philosophy of one century is the common sense of the next.

The philosophy of one century is the common sense of the next.

Henry Ward Beecher
Once an ill can be patiently born it is robbed of its poison if not its pain.

Once an ill can be patiently born it is robbed of its poison if not its pain.

Henry Ward Beecher
It is a man's duty to have books. A library is not a luxury, but one of the necessaries in life.

It is a man's duty to have books. A library is not a luxury, but one of the necessaries in life.

Henry Ward Beecher
The bibliophile is the master of his books, the bibliomaniac their slave.

The bibliophile is the master of his books, the bibliomaniac their slave.

Henry Ward Beecher
The worst thing in this world, next to anarchy, is government.

The worst thing in this world, next to anarchy, is government.

Henry Ward Beecher
A book is a garden, an orchard, a storehouse, a party ...

A book is a garden, an orchard, a storehouse, a party ...

Henry Ward Beecher
A helping word to one in trouble is often like a switch on a railroad track an inch between wreck and smooth, rolling prosperity.

A helping word to one in trouble is often like a switch on a railroad track an inch between wreck and smooth, rolling prosperity.

Henry Ward Beecher