Refinement is the lifting of one's self upwards from the merely sensual; the effort of the soul to etherealize the common wants and uses of life. Henry Ward Beecher More Quotes by Henry Ward Beecher More Quotes From Henry Ward Beecher The world is to be cleaned by somebody, and you are not called of God if you are ashamed to scrub. Henry Ward Beecher ashamed calling world O never harm the dreaming world, the world of green, the world of leaves, but let its million palms unfold the adoration of the trees Of all man's works of art, a cathedral is greatest. A vast and majestic tree is greater than that. Henry Ward Beecher dream men art The tidal wave of God's providence is carrying liberty throughout the globe. Henry Ward Beecher wave providence liberty All human affairs follow nature's great analogue, the growth of vegetation. There are three periods of growth in every plant. The first, and slowest, is the invisible growth by the root; the second and much accelerated is the visible growth by the stem; but when root and stem have gathered their forces, there comes the third period, in which the plant quickly flashes into blossom and rushes into fruit. Henry Ward Beecher growth nature roots Astronomers have built telescopes which can show myriads of stars unseen before; but when a man looks through a tear in his own eye, that is a lens which opens reaches into the unknown, and reveals orbs which no telescope, however skilfully constructed, could do. Henry Ward Beecher stars eye men There can be no high civilization where there is not ample leisure. Henry Ward Beecher leisure civilization Love is ownership. We own whom we love. The universe is God's because He loves. Henry Ward Beecher ownership love-is love Despondency is ingratitude; hope is God's worship. Henry Ward Beecher despondency worship hope Mirth is God's medicine. Henry Ward Beecher mirth medicine humor Whoever makes home seem to the young dearer and more happy, is a public benefactor. Henry Ward Beecher benefactors young home Good men are not those who now and then do a good act, but men who join one good act to another. Henry Ward Beecher good-man now-and-then men God's glory is His goodness. Henry Ward Beecher glory goodness god Men have a thousand desires to a bushel of choices. Henry Ward Beecher choices desire men Customs represent the experience of mankind. Henry Ward Beecher customs mankind Indeed, unless a man can link his written thoughts with the everlasting wants of men, so that they shall draw more from them as wells, there is no more immortality to the thoughts and feelings of the soul than to the muscles and bones. Henry Ward Beecher soul feelings men Repentance is the turning of the soul from the way of midnight to the point of the coming sun. Henry Ward Beecher midnight soul way Very few men acquire wealth in such a manner as to receive pleasure from it. Just as long as there is the enthusiasm of the chase they enjoy it; but when they begin to look around, and think of settling down, they find that that part by which joy enters is dead in them. They have spent their lives in heaping up colossal piles of treasure, which stand, at the end, like the pyramids in the desert sands, holding only the dust of kings. Henry Ward Beecher kings men thinking Miracles are like candles lit up until the sun rises, and then blown out. Therefore, I am amused when I hear sects and churches talk about having evidence of Divine authority because they have miracles. Miracles in our time are like candles in the street at midday. We do not want miracles. They are to teach men how to find out truths themselves; and after they have learned this, they no more need them than a well man needs a staff, or a grown-up child needs a walking-stool. Henry Ward Beecher miracle men children There are materials enough in every man's mind to make a hell there. Henry Ward Beecher hell mind men There is an equator that runs just under the nose: all that live below the equator are animals; all that live above it are men. Henry Ward Beecher running animal men
