Henry van Dyke quotes

Henry van Dyke was an American author, educator, and clergyman noted for his poetry, essays, and hymns. His works often blended themes of faith, nature, and optimism. He influenced American literature and culture through both his writings and public service. Here are 92 of his quotes:

Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity.

Henry van Dyke

Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.

Henry van Dyke

As long as habit and routine dictate the pattern of living, new dimensions of the soul will not emerge.

Henry van Dyke

What we do belongs to what we are; and what we are is what becomes of us.

Henry van Dyke

There is a loftier ambition than merely to stand high in the world. It is to stoop down and lift mankind a little higher.

Henry van Dyke

Genius is talent set on fire by courage.

Henry van Dyke

A friend is what the heart needs all the time.

Henry van Dyke

The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month.

Henry van Dyke

Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse.

Henry van Dyke

He that planteth a tree is a servant of God, he provideth a kindness for many generations, and faces that he hath not seen shall bless him.

Henry van Dyke

If all the skies were sunshine Our faces would be fain To feel once more upon them The cooling splash of rain. If all the world were music, Our hearts would often long For one sweet strain of silence, To break the endless song If life were always merry, Our souls would seek relief, And rest from weary laughter In the quiet arms of grief.

Henry van Dyke

Be glad of life because it gives you the chance to love, to work, to play, and to look up at the stars.

Henry van Dyke

To desire and strive to be of some service to the world, to aim at doing something which shall really increase the happiness and welfare and virtue of mankind - this is a choice which is possible for all of us; and surely it is a good haven to sail for.

Henry van Dyke

Remember that what you possess in this world will be found on the day of your death to belong to somebody else. But what you are will be yours forever.

Henry van Dyke

Happiness is inward, and not outward; and so, it does not depend on what we have, but on what we are.

Henry van Dyke

Look around for a place to sow a few seeds.

Henry van Dyke

There are many kinds of love, as many kinds of light, And every kind of love makes a glory in the night. There is love that stirs the heart, and love that gives it rest, But the love that leads life upward is the noblest and the best.

Henry van Dyke

There is only one way to get ready for immortality, and that is to love this life and live it as bravely and faithfully and cheerfully as we can.

Henry van Dyke

There are two good rules which ought to be written on every heart - never to believe anything bad about anybody unless you positively know it to be true; never to tell even that unless you feel that it is absolutely necessary, and that God is listening.

Henry van Dyke

In the progress of personality, first comes a declaration of independence, then a recognition of interdependence.

Henry van Dyke

Religion? Yes, I know it well; I've heard its prayers and creeds, And seen men put them all to shame with poor, half-hearted deeds. They follow Christ, but far away; they wander and they doubt. I'll serve him in a better way, and live his precepts out.

Henry van Dyke

Culture is the habit of being pleased with the best and knowing why.

Henry van Dyke