Virtue is its own reward, and brings with it the truest and highest pleasure; but if we cultivate it only for pleasure's sake, we are selfish, not religious, and will never gain the pleasure, because we can never have the virtue.
John Henry NewmanReligion indeed enlightens, terrifies, subdues; it gives faith, it inflicts remorse, it inspires resolutions, it draws tears, it inflames devotion, but only for the occasion.
John Henry NewmanEvil has no substance of its own, but is only the defect, excess, perversion, or corruption of that which has substance.
John Henry NewmanEgotism is true modesty. In religious enquiry each of us can speak only for himself.
John Henry NewmanFaith is the result of the act of the will, following upon a conviction that to believe is a duty.
John Henry NewmanNow what is it moves our very hearts, and sickens us so much at cruelty shown to poor brutes? I suppose this first, that they have done no harm; next, that they have no power whatever of resistance; it is the cowardice and tyranny of which they are the victims which makes their sufferings so especially touching.
John Henry Newman