Its guilt therefore in these cases, is not to be measure by its effects on the happiness of mankind; nor is it to be denominated true or false glory, accordingly as the ends to which it is directed are beneficial or mischievous, just or unjust objects of pursuit; but it is false, because it exalts that which ought to be abased, and criminal, because it encroaches on the prerogative of God.

William Wilberforce

Categorized in : Guilt Criminals True Or False

You may choose to look the other way but you can never say again that you did not know.

William Wilberforce

abolition-of-slavery inspirational peace

To live our lives and miss that great purpose we were designed to accomplish is truly a sin. It is inconceivable that we could be bored in a world with so much wrong to tackle, so much ignorance to reach and so much misery we could alleviate

William Wilberforce

bored ignorance missing

So enormous, so dreadful, so irremediable did the [slave] trade's wickedness appear that my own mind was completely made up for abolition. Let the consequences be what they would: I from this time determined that I would never rest until I had effected its abolition.

William Wilberforce

wickedness determined mind

There are four things that we ought to do with the Word of God - admit it as the Word of God, commit it to our hearts and minds, submit to it, and transmit it to the world.

William Wilberforce

christian mind heart

If you love someone who is ruining his or her life because of faulty thinking, and you don't do anything about it because you are afraid of what others might think, it would seem that rather than being loving, you are in fact being heartless.

William Wilberforce

heartless loving-you thinking

Let it not be said that I was silent when they needed me.

William Wilberforce

human-trafficking silent inspirational

It is the true duty of every man to promote the happiness of his fellow creatures to the utmost of his power.

William Wilberforce

creatures duty men

We have different forms assigned to us in the school of life, different gifts imparted. All is not attractive that is good. Iron is useful, though it does not sparkle like the diamond. Gold has not the fragrance of a flower. So different persons have various modes of excellence, and we must have an eye to all.

William Wilberforce

flower eye school

We are too young to realize that certain things are impossible... So we will do them anyway.

William Wilberforce

realizing certain impossible

Selfishness is one of the principal fruits of the corruption of human nature; and it is obvious that selfishness disposes us to over-rate our good qualities, and to overlook or extenuate our defects.

William Wilberforce

selfishness fruit quality

If to be feelingly alive to the sufferings of my fellow-creatures is to be a fanatic, I am one of the most incurable fanatics ever permitted to be at large.

William Wilberforce

challenges inspirational inspire

Measure your progress by your experience of the love of God and its exercise before men.

William Wilberforce

progress exercise men

true Christians consider themselves not as satisfying some rigorous creditor, but as discharging a debt of gratitude

William Wilberforce

debt gratitude christian

May God enable me to have a single eye and a simple heart, desiring to please God, to do good to my fellow creatures, and testify my gratitude to my adorable Redeemer.

William Wilberforce

gratitude eye heart

Christianity has been successfully attacked and marginalized… because those who professed belief were unable to defend the faith from attack, even though its attackers’ arguments were deeply flawed.

William Wilberforce

argument belief christianity

I mean not to accuse any one, but to take the shame upon myself, in common, indeed, with the whole parliament of Great Britain, for having suffered this horrid trade to be carried on under their authority. We are all guilty—we ought all to plead guilty, and not to exculpate ourselves by throwing the blame on others; and I therefore deprecate every kind of reflection against the various descriptions of people who are more immediately involved in this wretched business.

William Wilberforce

reflection mean people

True practical Christianity (never let it be forgotten) consists in devoting the heart and life to God; in being supremely and habitually governed by a desire to know, and a disposition to fulfill his will, and in endeavoring under the influence of these motives to 'live to his glory.' Where these essential requisites are wanting, however amiable the character may be, however creditable and respectable among men, yet, as it possesses not the grand distinguishing essence, it must not be complimented with the name of Christianity.

William Wilberforce

heart character men

God Almighty has set before me two great objects, the suppression of the slave trade and the reformation of manners (morality).

William Wilberforce

slave morality two

Africa, your sufferings have been the theme that has arrested & engaged my heart.

William Wilberforce

theme suffering heart

I am disturbed when I see the majority of so-called Christians having such little understanding of the real nature of the faith they profess. Faith is a subject of such importance that we should not ignore it because of the distractions or the hectic pace of our lives.

William Wilberforce

understanding real christian