When we know and love the best we are content to lack the approval of the many. John Lancaster Spalding More Quotes by John Lancaster Spalding More Quotes From John Lancaster Spalding We are made ridiculous less by our defects than by the affectation of qualities which are not ours. John Lancaster Spalding ridiculous quality made The highest strength is acquired not in overcoming the world, but in overcoming one's self. Learn to be cruel to thyself, to withstand thy appetites, to bear thy sufferings, and thou shalt become free and able. John Lancaster Spalding suffering self overcoming Say not thou lackest talent. What talent had any of the greatest, but passionate faith in the efficacy of work? John Lancaster Spalding efficacy passionate talent The common prejudice against philosophy is the result of the incapacity of the multitude to deal with the highest problems. John Lancaster Spalding prejudice common philosophy Nothing requires so little mental effort as to narrate or follow a story. Hence everybody tells stories and the readers of stories outnumber all others. John Lancaster Spalding effort stories littles Be watchful lest thou lose the power of desiring and loving what appeals to the soul this is the miser's curse this the chain and ball the sensualist drags. John Lancaster Spalding chains balls soul If our opinions rest upon solid ground, those who attack them do not make us angry, but themselves ridiculous. John Lancaster Spalding angry ridiculous opinion To secure approval one must remain within the bounds of conventional mediocrity. Whatever lies beyond, whether it be greater insight and virtue, or greater stolidity and vice, is condemned. The noblest men, like the worst criminals, have been done to death. John Lancaster Spalding vices men lying Folly will run its course and it is the part of wisdom not to take it too seriously. John Lancaster Spalding folly courses running To think profoundly, to seek and speak truth, to love justice and denounce wrong is to draw upon one's self the ill will of many. John Lancaster Spalding ill-will self thinking We shrink from the contemplation of our dead bodies, forgetting that when dead they are no longer ours, and concern us as little as the hairs that have fallen from our heads. John Lancaster Spalding body hair littles If thou wouldst help others deal with them as though they were what they should be John Lancaster Spalding deals helping-others should Solitude is unbearable for those who can not bear themselves. John Lancaster Spalding unbearable solitude bears To view an object in the proper light we must stand away from it. The study of the classical literatures gives the aloofness which cultivates insight. In learning to live with peoples and civilizations that have long ceased to be alive, we gain a vantage point, acquire an enlargement and elevation of thought, which enable us to study with a more impartial and liberal mind the condition of the society around us. John Lancaster Spalding light views civilization Whoever has freed himself from envy and bitterness may begin to try to see things as they are. John Lancaster Spalding envy gratitude trying If I am not pleased with myself, but should wish to be other than I am, why should I think highly of the influences which have made me what I am? John Lancaster Spalding philosophical wish thinking Our prejudices are like physical infirmities — we cannot do what they prevent us from doing. John Lancaster Spalding infirmity prejudice To learn the worth of a man's religion, do business with him. John Lancaster Spalding men religion In the world of thought a man's rank is determined, not by his average work, but by his highest achievement. John Lancaster Spalding average men world We have lost the old love of work, of work which kept itself company, which was fair weather and music in the heart, which found its reward in the doing, craving neither the flattery of vulgar eyes nor the gold of vulgar men. John Lancaster Spalding eye heart men
