There are three schoolmasters for everybody that will employ them - the senses, intelligent companions, and books.
Henry Ward BeecherBooks are the true metempsychosis,--they are the symbol and presage of immortality. The dead men are scattered, and none shall find them. Behold they are here! they do but sleep.
Henry Ward BeecherGrim care, moroseness, anxiety-all this rust of life ought to be scoured off by the oil of mirth. Mirth is God's medicine.
Henry Ward BeecherIt is a bitter thought to an avaricious spirit that by and by all these accumulations must be left behind. We can only carry away from this world the flavor of our good or evil deeds.
Henry Ward BeecherLove cannot endure indifference. It needs to be wanted. Like a lamp, it needs to be fed out of the oil of another's heart, or its flame burns low.
Henry Ward BeecherGod has made sleep to be a sponge by which to rub out fatigue. A man's roots are planted in night as in a soil.
Henry Ward BeecherNothing can be more airy and beautiful than the transparent seed-globe-a fairy dome of splendid architecture.
Henry Ward BeecherThe blossom cannot tell what becomes of its odor, and no person can tell what becomes of his or her influence and example.
Henry Ward BeecherThe meanest, most contemptible kind of praise is that which first speaks well of a man, and then qualifies it with a But.
Henry Ward BeecherA man without self-restraint is like a barrel without hoops, and tumbles to pieces.
Henry Ward BeecherThere is not a heart but has its moments of longing, yearning for something better; nobler; holier than it knows now.
Henry Ward BeecherAll men are tempted. There is no man that lives that can't be broken down, provided it is the right temptation, put in the right spot.
Henry Ward BeecherNewspapers are to the body politic what arteries are to the human body, their function being to carry blood and sustenance and repair to every part of the body.
Henry Ward BeecherThe prouder a man is, the more he thinks he deserves, and the more he thinks he deserves, the less he really does deserve.
Henry Ward BeecherIf you are idle, you are on the road to ruin; and there are few stopping-places upon it. It is rather a precipice than a road
Henry Ward BeecherEducation will not come of itself; it will never come unless you seek it; it will not come unless you take the first steps which lead to it; but, taking these steps, every man can acquire it.
Henry Ward BeecherThere's not much practical Christianity in the man who lives on better terms with angels and seraphs than with his children, servants and neighbours.
Henry Ward BeecherThe newspaper is a greater treasure to the people than uncounted millions of gold.
Henry Ward BeecherThe mere wit is only a human bauble. He is to life what bells are to horses-not expected to draw the load, but only to jingle while the horses draw.
Henry Ward BeecherVictories are easy and cheap. The only victories worth anything are those achieved through hard work and dedication.
Henry Ward BeecherLaw represents the effort of man to organize society; governments, the efforts of selfishness to overthrow liberty.
Henry Ward BeecherWhen a man sells eleven ounces for twelve, he makes a compact with the devil, and sells himself for the value of an ounce.
Henry Ward BeecherOur sweetest experiences of affection are meant to be suggestions of that realm which is the home of the heart.
Henry Ward BeecherTemptations are enemies outside the castle seeking entrance. If there be no false retainer within who holds treacherous parley, there can scarcely be even an offer.
Henry Ward BeecherThere are many troubles which you cannot cure by the Bible and the hymn-book, but which you can cure by a good perspiration and a breath of fresh air.
Henry Ward BeecherA man's character is the reality of himself; his reputation, the opinion others have formed about him; character resides in him, reputation in other people; that is the substance, this is the shadow.
Henry Ward Beecher