William Ellery Channing

William Ellery Channing
William Ellery Channingwas the foremost Unitarian preacher in the United States in the early nineteenth century and along with Andrews Norton,, one of Unitarianism's leading theologians. He was known for his articulate and impassioned sermons and public speeches, and as a prominent thinker in the liberal theology of the day. Channing's religion and thought were among the chief influences on the New England Transcendentalists, though he never countenanced their views, which he saw as extreme. The beliefs he espoused, especially...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionWriter
Date of Birth7 April 1780
CountryUnited States of America
We never know a greater character unless there is in ourselves something congenial to it.
The great hope of society is in individual character
Grandeur of character lies wholly in force of soul, that is, in the force of thought, moral principle, and love, and this may be found in the humblest condition of life
Every man is a volume if you know how to read him.
Every human being is intended to have a character of his own; to be what no others are, and to do what no other can do.
Each of us is meant to have a character all our own, to be what no other can exactly be, and do what no other can exactly do.
Every human being has a work to carry on within, duties to perform abroad, influence to exert, which are peculiarly his, and which no conscience but his own can teach.
The cry has been that when war is declared, all opposition should be hushed. A sentiment more unworthy of a free country could hardly be propagated.
The office of government is not to confer happiness, but to give men the opportunity to work out happiness for themselves.
The home is the chief school of human virtues.
True love is the parent of humility....
Mistakes and errors are the discipline through which we advance.
To be prosperous is not to be superior, and should form no barrier between men. Wealth out not to secure the prosperous the slightest consideration. The only distinctions which should be recognized are those of the soul, of strong principle, of incorruptible integrity, of usefulness, of cultivated intellect, of fidelity in seeking the truth.
An earnest purpose finds time, or makes it. It seizes on spare moments, and turns fragments to golden account.