John Lancaster Spalding Quotes (1840-1916)

“To love the perfection with which we do our work, or the company of those with whom we work, is the secret of learning to love the work itself.”

“The noblest are they who turning from the things the vulgar crave, seek the source of a blessed life in worlds to which the senses do not lead.”

“The work whereby men gain a livelihood involves mental and moral mutilation, unless it be done in the spirit of religion and culture.”

“What matter that the man stands for much I cannot love—the moment he touches the realms of truth he enters my world and is my friend.”

“No sooner does a divine gift reveal itself in youth or maid than its market value becomes the decisive consideration, and the poor young creatures are offered for sale, as we might sell angels who had strayed among us.”

“It is held that one fulfils his whole duty when he is industrious in his business or vocation, observing also the decencies of domestic, civil, and religious life. But activity of this kind stirs only the surface of our being, leaving what is most divine to starve; and when it is made the one important thing, men lose sense for what is high and holy, and become commonplace, mechanical, and hard. Science is valuable for them as a means to comfort and wealth; morality, as an aid to success; religion, as an agent of social order. In their eyes those who devote themselves to ideal aims and ends are as foolish as the alchemists, since the only real world is that of business and politics, or of business simply, since politics is business.”

“The disinterested love of truth which culture fosters is akin to the unselfishness which is a characteristic of the good.”

“Since the mass of mankind are too ignorant or too indolent to think seriously, if majorities are right it is by accident.”

“What matter that the man stands for much I cannot love—the moment he touches the realms of truth he enters my world and is my friend.”

“Liberty is more precious than money or office; and we should be vigilant lest we purchase wealth or place at the price of inner freedom.”