Prosperity is very liable to bring pride among the other goods with which it endows an individual; it is then that prosperity costs too dear.
Hosea BallouIt is the goodly outside that sin puts on which tempteth to destruction. It has been said that sin is like the bee, with honey in its mouth, but a sting in its tail.
Hosea BallouAttempt to teach the young but little at a time; this will be easier to impart, easier to receive, and surer to be retained.
Hosea BallouIf gratitude is due from children to their earthly parent, how much more is the gratitude of the great family of men due to our father in heaven.
Hosea BallouHonest and courageous people have very little to say about either their courage or their honesty. The sun has no need to boast of his brightness, nor the moon of her effulgence.
Hosea BallouSuspicion is far more to be wrong than right; more often unjust than just. It is no friend to virtue, and always an enemy to happiness.
Hosea BallouThe severest punishment suffered by a sensitive mind, for injury inflicted upon another, is the consciousness of having done it.
Hosea BallouWith regard to manner, be careful to speak in a soft, tender, kind and loving way. Even when you have occasion to rebuke, be careful to do it with manifest kindness. The effect will be incalculably better.
Hosea BallouFaith, in order to be genuine and of any real value, must be the offspring of that divine love which Jesus manifested when He prayed for His enemies on the cross.
Hosea BallouThe act of divine worship is the inestimable privilege of man, the only created being who bows in humility and adoration.
Hosea BallouO sin, how you paint your face! how you flatter us poor mortals on to death! You never appear to the sinner in your true character; you make fair promises, but you never fulfil one; your tongue is smoother than oil, but the poison of asps is under your lip!
Hosea BallouThere is no possible excuse for a guarded lie. Enthusiastic and impulsive people will sometimes falsify thoughtlessly, but equivocation is malice prepense.
Hosea BallouMan, being not only a religious, but also a social being, requires for the promotion of his rational happiness religious institutions, which, while they give a proper direction to devotion, at the same time make a wise and profitable improvement of his social feelings.
Hosea BallouDuty itself is supreme delight when love is the inducement and labor. By such a principle the ignorant are enlightened, the hard-hearted softened, the disobedient reformed, and the faithful encouraged.
Hosea BallouEducation commences at the mother's knee, and every word spoken within hearsay of little children tends toward the formation of character.
Hosea BallouThere is no better rule to try a doctrine by than the question, Is it merciful, or is it unmerciful? If its character is that of mercy, it has the image of Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life.
Hosea BallouFolly is like the growth of weeds, always luxurious and spontaneous; wisdom, like flowers, requires cultivation.
Hosea BallouA single bad habit will mar an otherwise faultless character, as an ink-drop soileth the pure white page.
Hosea BallouBe more careful of your conscience than of your estate. The latter can be bought and sold; the former never.
Hosea BallouThe cloudy weather melts at length into beauty, and the brightest smiles of the heart are born of its tears.
Hosea BallouThat alone can be called true refinement which elevates the soul of man, purifying the manners by improving the intellect.
Hosea BallouEnvy may justly be called "the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity;" it is the most acid fruit that grows on the stock of sin, a fluid so subtle that nothing but the fire of divine love can purge it from the soul.
Hosea BallouGratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul; and the heart of man knoweth none more fragrant.
Hosea Ballou