156 Quotes by Hosea Ballou

You cannot judge by outward appearances; the soul is only transparent to its Maker.

Rage is mental imbecility.

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

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.

Man, being not only a religious, but also a social being, requires for the promotion of his rational happiness religious institutions, which, while they give a proper direction to devotion, at the same time make a wise and profitable improvement of his social feelings.

Reproof, especially as it relates to children, administered in all gentleness, will render the culprit not afraid, but ashamed to repeat the offence.

Death comes to us, under many conditions, with all the welcome serenity of sleep.

Not the least misfortune in a prominent falsehood is the fact that tradition is apt to repeat it for truth.

How quickly a truly benevolent act is repaid by the consciousness of having done it!