William Channing
William Channing
blessings consists cultivated equal fields forced free honor laws moral nation prosperous submission teach virtues
Let us teach that the honor of a nation consists not in the forced submission of other states, but in equal laws and free institutions, in cultivated fields and prosperous cities; in the development of intellectual and moral power, in the diffusion of knowledge, in magnanimity and justice, in the virtues and blessings of peace.
broken dare depths good highest human inward outward periods revolution seem undefined wants wisdom
There are seasons, in human affairs, of inward and outward revolution, when new depths seem to be broken up in the soul, when new wants are unfolded in multitudes, and a new and undefined good is thirsted for. These are periods when...to dare is the highest wisdom.
cannot faith known object time
What is mysterious, secret, unknown, cannot at the same time be known as an object of faith.
awake destinies enduring glorious immortal man passing shall soul sublime substance
Everything here but the soul of man is a passing shadow. The only enduring substance is within. When shall we awake to the sublime greatness, the perils, the accountableness, and the glorious destinies of the immortal soul?
alive beauty blades branches depths earth eyes feeling flowers green haunts lift minute overflow people precious rising setting shell sun themselves trees unfolds universe waves
Beauty is an all-pervading presence. It unfolds to the numberless flowers of the Spring; it waves in the branches of the trees and in the green blades of grass; it haunts the depths of the earth and the sea, and gleams out in the hues of the shell and the precious stone. And not only these minute objects, but the ocean, the mountains, the clouds, the heavens, the stars, the rising and the setting sun all overflow with beauty. The universe is its temple; and those people who are alive to it can not lift their eyes without feeling themselves encompassed with it on every side.
cannot clear comprehend form hidden ideas justly knowledge nature plant pretend properties reason simplest truth
We do not pretend to know the whole nature and properties of God, but still we can form some clear ideas of him, and can reason from these ideas as justly as from any other. The truth is, that we cannot be said to comprehend any being whatever, not the simplest plant or animal. All have hidden properties. Our knowledge of all is limited.
diseased expressed grandeur great indeed interest man mass nature outward sight strong turns
I have expressed my strong interest in the mass of the people; and this is founded, not on their usefulness to the community, so much as on what they are in themselves.... Indeed every man (sic), in every condition, is great. It is only our own diseased sight which makes him little. A man is great as a man, be he where or what he may. The grandeur of his nature turns to insignificance all outward distinctions.
breathed earth great ideas influence man
Ideas are the mightiest influence on earth. One great thought breathed into a man may regenerate him.
against brothers employs force great intellect less worse
Of all treasons against humanity, there is no one worse than his who employs great intellectual force to keep down the intellect of his less favored brothers
company natural seen vanity
Natural amiableness is too often seen in company with sloth, uselessness, with the vanity of fashionable life.
human peace policy schemes spirit work
No calculations of interest, no schemes of policy can do the work of love, of the spirit of human brotherhood. There can be no peace without but through peace within.
cling conscience dwells god hearts image rest thoughts whom whose
The only God whom our thoughts can rest on, our hearts cling to, and our conscience can recognize, is the God whose image dwells in our own souls.
highest periods wisdom
There are periods when to dare, is the highest wisdom.
less plan
It is better to plan less and do more