Tertullian quotes

Tertullian was an early Christian author and theologian from Carthage, often called the "father of Latin Christianity." His writings laid important foundations for Western Christian doctrine and introduced terms such as "Trinity." He is remembered for his powerful apologetic works and distinctive style. Here are 73 of his quotes:

You can judge the quality of their faith from the way they behave. Discipline is an index to doctrine. (Tertullian)
Out of the frying pan, into the fire. View quote
Tertullian
It is certain because it is possible. View quote
Tertullian
He who flees will fight again. View quote
Tertullian
Christians are made, not born. View quote
Tertullian
The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. View quote
Tertullian
Truth persuades by teaching, but does not teach by persuading. View quote
Tertullian
Two kinds of blindness are easily combined so that those who do not see really appear to see what is not. View quote
Tertullian
Hope is patience with the lamp lit. View quote
Tertullian
Nature soaks every evil with either fear or shame. View quote
Tertullian
It is certainly no part of religion to compel religion. (Tertullian)
It is to be believed because it is absurd. View quote
Tertullian
We [ Christians] have no pressing inducement to take part in your public meetings; nor is there anything more entirely foreign to us than affairs of state. We acknowledge one all-embracing commonwealth-the world. View quote
Tertullian
When God's Spirit descends, then Patience accompanies Him indivisibly. View quote
Tertullian
All things will be in danger of being taken in a sense different from their own proper sense, and, whilst taken in that different sense, of losing their proper one, if they are called by a name which differs from their natural designation. Fidelity in names secures the safe appreciation of properties. View quote
Tertullian
In pursuit of gain, men have begun to consider their violence an article to be bought and sold. View quote
Tertullian
Truth does not blush. View quote
Tertullian
O witness of the soul naturally Christian. View quote
Tertullian
The Jews formed the breeding ground of all anti-Christian actions. View quote
Tertullian
But everything which is against nature deserves to be branded as monstrous among all men; but with us it is to be condemned also as sacrilege against God, the Lord and Creator of nature. View quote
Tertullian
The argument for Christian practices becomes all the stronger, when also nature, which is the first rule of all, supports them. Well, she is the first who lays it down that a crown does not become the head. (Tertullian)
Notorious, too, are the dealings of heretics with swarms of magicians and charlatans and astrologers and philosophers - all, of course, devotees of speculation. You can judge the quality of their faith from the way they behave. Discipline is an index to doctrine. View quote
Tertullian
Therefore "there is one God," the Father, "and without Him there is none else." And when He Himself makes this declaration, He denies not the Son, but says that there is no other God; and the Son is not different from the Father. View quote
Tertullian
For things which are worthy of God will prove the existence of God. We maintain that God must first be known from nature, and afterwards authenticated by instruction: from nature by His works; by instruction, through His revealed announcements. View quote
Tertullian
Even when the ray is shot from the sun, it is still part of the parent mass; the sun will still be in the ray, because it is a ray of the sun-there is no division of substance, but merely an extension. Thus Christ is Spirit of Spirit, and God of God, as light of light is kindled. View quote
Tertullian