Should we grieve over a little misplaced charity, when an all knowing, all wise Being showers down every day his benefits on the unthankful and undeserving?
Francis AtterburyA good man not only forbears those gratifications which are forbidden by reason and religion, but even restrains himself in unforbidden instances.
Francis AtterburyThe things of another world being distant, operate but faintly upon us: to remedy this inconvenience, we must frequently revolve their certainty and importance.
Francis AtterburyThe priesthood hath in all nations, and all religions, been held highly venerable.
Francis AtterburyAffliction is a school of virtue; it corrects levity, and interrupts the confidence of sinning.
Francis AtterburyIt is impossible to have a lively hope in another life, and yet be deeply immersed in the enjoyments of this.
Francis AtterburyHe who performs his duty in a station of great power must needs incur the utter enmity of many, and the high displeasure of more.
Francis AtterburyIt is little the sign of a wise or good man, to suffer temperance to be transgressed in order to purchase the repute of a generous entertainer.
Francis AtterburyThose good men who take such pleasure in relieving the miserable for Christ's sake, would not have been less forward to minister onto Christ Himself.
Francis AtterburyNothing can be reckoned good or bad to us in this life, any further than it indisposes us for the enjoyment of another.
Francis AtterburyA good character when established should not be rested in as an end, but only employed as a means of doing still further good.
Francis AtterburyFew consider how much we are indebted to government, because few can represent how wretched mankind would be without it.
Francis AtterburyThe greater absurdities are, the more strongly they evince the falsity of that supposition from whence they flow.
Francis AtterburyLuther deters me from solitariness; but he does not mean from a sober solitude that rallies our scattered strengths and prepares us against any new encounter from without.
Francis AtterburyEven the wisdom of God hath not suggested more pressing motives, more powerful incentives to charity, than these, that we shall be judged by it at the last dreadful day.
Francis AtterburyA just and wise magistrate is a blessing as extensive as the community to which he belongs; a blessing which includes all other blessings whatsoever that relate to this life.
Francis AtterburyHospitality sometimes degenerates into profuseness, and ends in madness and folly.
Francis AtterburyThe temptations of prosperity insinuate themselves after a gentle, but very powerful manner; so that we are but little aware of them and less able to withstand them.
Francis AtterburyA sturdy, hardened sinner shall advance to the utmost pitch of impiety, with less reluctance than he took the first step while his conscience was yet vigilant and tender.
Francis AtterburyFrom mere success nothing can be concluded in favor of any nation upon whom it is bestowed.
Francis AtterburyThey who are not induced to believe and live as they ought by those discoveries which God hath made in Scriptures would stand out against any evidence whatever, even that of a messenger sent express from the other world.
Francis AtterburyIf God be infinitely holy, just, and good, He must take delight in those creatures that resemble Him most in these perfections.
Francis AtterburyA very prosperous people, flushed with great victories and successes, are seldom so pious, so humble, so just, or so provident as to perpetuate their happiness.
Francis AtterburyWhat we employ in charitable uses during our lives is given away from ourselves; what we bequeath at our death is given from others only, as our nearest relations.
Francis AtterburyModesty teaches us to speak of the ancients with respect, especially when we are not very familiar with their works. Newton, who knew them practically by heart, had the greatest respect for them, and considered them to be men of genius and superior intelligence who had carried their discoveries in every field much further than we today suspect, judging from what remains of their writings. More ancient writings have been lost than have been preserved, and perhaps our new discoveries are of less value than those that we have lost.
Francis Atterbury