Our government is built upon the vote. But votes that are purchasable are quicksands, and a government built on them stands upon corruption and revolution.
Henry Ward BeecherA very common flower adds generosity to beauty. It gives joy to the poor, to the rude, and to the multitudes who could have no flowers were nature to charge a price for her blossoms.
Henry Ward BeecherAll things in the natural world symbolize God, yet none of them speak of Him but in broken and imperfect words.
Henry Ward BeecherBy religion I mean perfected manhood,--the quickening of the soul by the influence of the Divine Spirit.
Henry Ward BeecherYou have come into a hard world. I know of only one easy place in it, and that is the grave.
Henry Ward BeecherWe are not to make the ideas of contentment and aspiration quarrel, for God made them fast friends. A man may aspire, and yet be quite content until it is time to raise; and both flying and resting are but parts of one contentment. The very fruit of the gospel is aspiration. It is to the heart what spring is to the earth, making every root, and bud, and bough desire to be more.
Henry Ward Beecher