There is no hell like that of a selfish heart, and there is no misfortune so great as that of not being able to make a sacrifice. These two thoughts come to me strongly this morning. It is something to have learned these truths so that we can never again doubt them.

Julia Ward Howe

Categorized in : Morning Heart Selfish

We will not have great questions decided by irrelevant agencies, Our husbands will not come to us, reeking with carnage, for caresses and applause. Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn All that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy, and patience. We, the women of one country, will be too tender of those of another country To allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs.

Julia Ward Howe

husband taken country

It is always legitimate to wish to rise above one's self, never above others.

Julia Ward Howe

rise-above self wish

I am confirmed in my division of human energies. Ambitious people climb, but faithful people build.

Julia Ward Howe

faithful hiking people

I shall stick to my resolution of writing always what I think no matter whom it offends.

Julia Ward Howe

new-year writing thinking

Any religion which will sacrifice a certain set of human beings for the enjoyment or aggrandizement or advantage of another is no religion. It is a thing which may be allowed, but it is against true religion. Any religion which sacrifices women to the brutality of men is no religion.

Julia Ward Howe

sacrifice brutality men

When I see the elaborate study and ingenuity displayed by women in the pursuit of trifles, I feel no doubt of their capacity for the most herculean undertakings.

Julia Ward Howe

women feminist doubt

I want to take the word Christianity back to Christ himself, back to that mighty heart whose pulse seems to throb through the world today, that endless fountain of charity out of which I believe has come all true progress and all civilization that deserves the name. I go back to that great Spirit which contemplated a sacrifice for the whole of humanity. That sacrifice is not one of exclusion, but of an infinite and endless and joyous inclusion. And I thank God for it.

Julia Ward Howe

sacrifice heart believe

Life is like a cup of tea, the sugar is all at the bottom!

Julia Ward Howe

life-is-like age tea

Much of the work of every life is done in the dark.

Julia Ward Howe

purpose dark work

We, women of one country,

Julia Ward Howe

carnage country son

As men have often forsaken the plough and the anvil at the summons of war, let women now leave all that may be left of home for a great and earnest day of counsel. Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead. Let them solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means whereby the great human family can live in peace.

Julia Ward Howe

home war mean

God forgive me if I do wrong in following with ardor the strongest instincts of my nature.

Julia Ward Howe

instinct forgive-me forgiving

The flag of our stately battles, not struggles of wrath and greed,

Julia Ward Howe

fighting stars struggle

In Virgil's account of the good housewife, who rises early in order to measure out the work of the household, and in Solomon's description of the thrifty woman of his time, one sees the value set upon feminine industry and economy in times far removed from our own.

Julia Ward Howe

feminine economy order

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat; He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat. Oh! be swift my soul to answer him, be jubilant my feet! Our God is marching on.

Julia Ward Howe

marching-on heart men

Don't you think that the best things are already in view?

Julia Ward Howe

optimistic views thinking

Every fallen woman represents a man as guilty as herself, who escapes human detection, but whose soul lies open before God.

Julia Ward Howe

soul men lying

Familiarity so dulls the edge of perception as to make us least acquainted with things forming part of our daily life.

Julia Ward Howe

daily-life edges perception

Charity is an unending self-discipline which always looks and leads towards the eternal affection. Therefore, its triumph shall be lasting and everlasting.

Julia Ward Howe

triumph discipline self

Education keeps the key of life; and liberal education insures the first conditions of freedom,--namely, adequate knowledge and accustomed thought.

Julia Ward Howe

adequate-knowledge keys education