the most common type of pessimism is neither philosophical nor religious: it is the pessimism of thwarted desire. ... It is the cynical sneer of the man who, seeking roses, finds only ashes.

Prayer is the opening of the soul to God so that he can speak to us.

love is always in danger of being sentimentalized.

The primary battle which religion must fight today is the battle to justify its own existence.

the principal sources of human misery may fairly be said to lie in the over-possession, under-possession, and the unwise use of economic goods.

The tendency to turn human judgments into divine commands makes religion one of the most dangerous forces in the world.

Prayer is essentially a process by which ideals are enabled to become operative in our lives. It may be more than this, but it is at least this.