Nothing raises the price of a blessing like its removal; whereas it was its continuance which should have taught us its value. There are three requisitions to the proper enjoyment of earthly blessings,--a thankful reflection on the goodness of the Giver, a deep sense of our unworthiness, a recollection of the uncertainty of long possessing them. The first would make us grateful; the second, humble; and the third, moderate.
Hannah MoreHe who cannot find time to consult his Bible will one day find he has time to be sick; he who has no time to pray must find time to die; he who can find no time to reflect is most likely to find time to sin; he who cannot find time for repentance will find an eternity in which repentance will be of no avail; he who cannot find time to work for others may find an eternity in which to suffer for himself.
Hannah MoreThe constant habit of perusing devout books is so indispensable, that it has been termed the oil of the lamp of prayer. Too much reading, however, and too little meditation, may produce the effect of a lamp inverted; which is extinguished by the very excess of that ailment, whose property is to feed it.
Hannah MoreAffliction is the school in which great virtues are acquired, in which great characters are formed.
Hannah MoreYes, thou art ever present, power divine; not circumscribed by time, nor fixed by space, confined to altars, nor to temples bound. In wealth, in want, in freedom, or in chains, in dungeons or on thrones, the faithful find thee.
Hannah MoreSweet is the breath of praise when given by those whose own high merit claims the praise they give.
Hannah MoreIf I wanted to punish an enemy, it should be by fastening on him the trouble of constantly hating somebody.
Hannah MoreYouth has a quickness of apprehension, which it is very apt to mistake for an acuteness of penetration.
Hannah Morewe contrive to make revenge itself look like religion. We call down thunder on many a head under pretence, that those on whom we invoke it are God's enemies, when perhaps we invoke it because they are ours.
Hannah MorePride never sleeps. The principle at least is always awake. An intemperate man is sometimes sober, but a proud man is never humble.
Hannah MoreLife though a short, is a working day. Activity may lead to evil; but inactivity cannot be led to good.
Hannah MoreIndeed, I have, alas! outlived almost every one of my contemporaries. One pays dear for living long.
Hannah MoreIt is not so important to know everything as to know the exact value of everything, to appreciate what we learn and to arrange what we know.
Hannah MoreI am persuaded that there is no affection of the human heart more exquisitely pure, than that which is felt by a grateful son towards a mother.
Hannah MoreWe are apt to mistake our vocation by looking out of the way for occasions to exercise great and rare virtues, and by stepping over the ordinary ones that lie directly in the road before us.
Hannah Moreeternity is a depth which no geometry can measure, no arithmetic calculate, no imagination conceive, no rhetoric describe.
Hannah MoreCommending a right thing is a cheap substitute for doing it, with which we are too apt to satisfy ourselves.
Hannah MoreHow much it is to be regretted, that the British ladies should ever sit down contented to polish, when they are able to reform; to entertain, when they might instruct; and to dazzle for an hour, when they are candidates for eternity!
Hannah MorePerfect purity, fullness of joy, everlasting freedom, perfect rest, health and fruition, complete security, substantial and eternal good.
Hannah MoreEverything which relates to God is infinite. We must therefore, while we keep our hearts humble, keep our aims high. Our highest services are indeed but finite, imperfect. But as God is unlimited in goodness, He should have our unlimited love.
Hannah MoreThe artful injury, whose venomed dart scarce wounds the hearing, while it stabs the heart.
Hannah MoreOf two evils, had not an author better be tedious than superficial! From an overflowing vessel you may gather more, indeed, than you want, but from an empty one you can gather nothing.
Hannah MoreOh! the joy Of young ideas painted on the mind, In the warm glowing colors fancy spreads On objects not yet known, when all is new, And all is lovely.
Hannah MorePrayer is not eloquence, but earnestness; not the definition of helplessness, but the feeling of it; not figures of speech, but earnestness of soul.
Hannah MoreImagination frames events unknown, In wild, fantastic shapes of hideous ruin, And what it fears creates.
Hannah MoreIt is a sober truth that people who live only to amuse themselves work harder at the task than most people do in earning their daily bread.
Hannah MoreWhen you are disposed to be vain of your mental acquirements, look up to those who are more accomplished than yourself, that you may be fired with emulation; but when you feel dissatisfied with your circumstances, look down on those beneath you, that you may learn contentment.
Hannah MoreAfter all that corrupt poets, and more corrupt philosophers, have told us of the blandishments of pleasure, and of its tendency to soften the temper and humanize the affections, it is certain, that nothing hardens the heart like excessive and unbounded luxury; and he who refuses the fewest gratifications to his own voluptuousness, will generally be found the least susceptible of tenderness for the wants of others.
Hannah MoreForgiveness is the economy of the heart... forgiveness saves the expense of anger, the cost of hatred, the waste of spirits.
Hannah More