God Almighty has set before me two great objects: the suppression of the slave trade and the reformation of manners.
William WilberforceRead
It is the distinguishing glory of Christianity not to rest satisfied with superficial appearances, but to rectify the motives, and purify the heart.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Christianity emphasizes the importance of inner purity and motivation over external appearances.
This quote by William Wilberforce highlights a core tenet of Christianity, which is the focus on the internal state of a person rather than merely their outward behavior. It suggests that true virtue comes from a sincere heart and genuine motives, encouraging individuals to seek deeper moral integrity rather than conforming to superficial standards.
Themes
ChristianityMotivationHeartPuritySuperficiality
In practice
Example use cases
During a sermon discussing moral integrity, one might use this quote to illustrate the importance of inner character.
More from William Wilberforce
All quotes βThe first years in Parliament I did nothing - nothing to any purpose. My own distinction was my darling object.
William WilberforceRead
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.
William WilberforceRead
No one expects to attain to the height of learning, or arts, or power, or wealth, or military glory, without vigorous resolution, strenuous diligence, and steady perseverance. Yet we expect to be Christians without labour, study, or inquiry.
William WilberforceRead
O what a blessing is Sunday, interposed between the waves of worldly business like the divine path of the Israelites through the sea! There is nothing in which I would advise you to be more strictly conscientious than in keeping the Sabbath day holy. I can truly declare that to me the Sabbath has been invaluable.
William WilberforceRead
I am disturbed when I see the majority of so-called Christians having such little understanding of the real nature of the faith they profess. Faith is a subject of such importance that we should not ignore it because of the distractions or the hectic pace of our lives.
William WilberforceRead
Similar quotes
They stormed and jeered at one another in long meaningless words of about twenty syllables each.
C. S. LewisRead
Man is a history-making creature, who can neither repeat his past, nor leave it behind.
W. H. AudenRead
Why should workers agree to be slaves in a basically authoritarian structure? They should have control over it themselves. Why shouldn't communities have a dominant voice in running the institutions that affect their lives?
Noam ChomskyRead
Whatever you do in life, if you want to be creative and intelligent, and develop your brain, you must do everything with the awareness that everything, in some way, connects to everything else.
Leonardo Da VinciRead
Every idea, extended into infinity, becomes its own opposite.
Georg Wilhelm Friedrich HegelRead
Acts have their being in the witness. Without him who can speak of it? In the end one could even say that the act is nothing, the witness all.
Cormac MccarthyRead