William Wilberforce quotes - page 2

Measure your progress by your experience of the love of God and its exercise before men. (William Wilberforce)
Read the Bible, read the Bible! Let no religious book take its place. Through all my perplexities and distresses, I seldom read any other book, and I as rarely felt the want of any other. View quote
William Wilberforce
Can one serve God and one's nation in parliament? View quote
William Wilberforce
How can we judge fairly of the characters and merits of men, of the wisdom or folly of actions, unless we have . . . an accurate knowledge of all particulars, so that we may live as it were in the times, and among the persons, of whom we read, see with their eyes, and reason and decide on their premises? View quote
William Wilberforce
The literary opposers of Christianity, from Herbert to Hume, have been seldom read. They made some stir in their day: during their span of existence they were noisy and noxious; but like the locusts of the east, which for a while obscure the air, and destroy the verdure, they were soon swept away and forgotten. View quote
William Wilberforce
The first years in Parliament I did nothing - nothing to any purpose. My own distinction was my darling object. View quote
William Wilberforce
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. View quote
William Wilberforce
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. View quote
William Wilberforce
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. View quote
William Wilberforce
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. View quote
William Wilberforce
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)
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. View quote
William Wilberforce
Africa, your sufferings have been the theme that has arrested & engaged my heart. View quote
William Wilberforce
If there is no passionate love for Christ at the center of everything, we will only jingle and jangle our way across the world, merely making a noise as we go. View quote
William Wilberforce
No matter how loud you shout, you will not drown out the voice of the people! View quote
William Wilberforce
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. View quote
William Wilberforce
Oh Lord, purify my soul from all its stains. Warm my heart with the love of thee, animate my sluggish nature and fix my inconstancy, and volatility, that I may not be weary in well doing. View quote
William Wilberforce
Is it not the great end of religion, and, in particular, the glory of Christianity, to extinguish the malignant passions; to curb the violence, to control the appetites, and to smooth the asperities of man; to make us compassionate and kind, and forgiving one to another; to make us good husbands, good fathers, good friends; and to render us active and useful in the discharge of the relative social and civil duties? View quote
William Wilberforce
Lovely flowers are the smiles of god's goodness. View quote
William Wilberforce
Our motto must continue to be perseverance. And ultimately I trust the Almighty will crown our efforts with success. View quote
William Wilberforce
No man has a right to be idle. Where is it that in such a world as this, that health, and leisure, and affluence may not find some ignorance to instruct, some wrong to redress, some want to supply, some misery to alleviate? (William Wilberforce)
In an age in which infidelity abounds, do we observe parents carefully instructing their children in the principles of faith which they profess? Or do they furnish their children with arguments for the defense of that faith? ...it is not surprising to see them abandon a position which they are unable to defend. View quote
William Wilberforce
When we think of eternity, and of the future consequences of all human conduct, what is there in this life that should make any man contradict the dictates of his conscience, the principles of justice, the laws of religion, and of God? View quote
William Wilberforce
The observance of one commandment, however clearly and forcibly enjoined, cannot make up for the neglect of another which is enjoined with equal clearness and equal force. View quote
William Wilberforce
Can you tell a plain man the road to heaven? Certainly, turn at once to the right, and then go straight forward. View quote
William Wilberforce