William Wilberforce
William Wilberforce
William Wilberforcewas an English politician, philanthropist, and a leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade. A native of Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, he began his political career in 1780, eventually becoming the independent Member of Parliament for Yorkshire. In 1785, he became an Evangelical Christian, which resulted in major changes to his lifestyle and a lifelong concern for reform...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionPolitician
Date of Birth24 August 1759
inspirational peace abolition-of-slavery
You may choose to look the other way but you can never say again that you did not know.
advance business connected decline faith interest particular society suggest welfare
I would suggest that faith is everyone's business. The advance or decline of faith is so intimately connected to the welfare of a society that it should be of particular interest to a politician.
indeed
They know indeed that they are mortal, but they do not feel it.
pain taken idle
As much pains were taken to make me idle as were ever taken to make me studious.
sunday blessing sea
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.
gratitude joy looks
We can scarcely indeed look into any part of the sacred volume without meeting abundant proofs, that it is the religion of the Affections which God particularly requires. Love, Zeal, Gratitude, Joy, Hope, Trust, are each of them specified; and are not allowed to us as weaknesses, but enjoined on us as our bounden duty, and commended to us as our acceptable worship.
exercise men progress
Measure your progress by your experience of the love of God and its exercise before men.
thinking views looks
Wherever we direct our view, we discover the melancholy proofs of our depravity; whether we look to ancient or modern times, to barbarous or civilized nations, to the conduct of the world around us, or to the monitor within the breast; whether we read, or hear, or act, or think, or feel, the same humiliating lesson is forced upon us.
parliament serving-god nations
Can one serve God and one's nation in parliament?
political estimating gains
If . . . a principle of true Religion [i.e., true Christianity] should . . . gain ground, there is no estimating the effects on public morals, and the consequent influence on our political welfare.
years firsts purpose
The first years in Parliament I did nothing - nothing to any purpose. My own distinction was my darling object.
country men rights
If any country were indeed filled with men, each thus diligently discharging the duties of his own station without breaking in upon the rights of others, but on the contrary endeavoring, so far as he might be able, to forward their views and promote their happiness, all would be active and harmonious in the goodly frame of human society.
doctrine wealth natural
I continually find it necessary to guard against that natural love of wealth and grandeur which prompts us always, when we come to apply our general doctrine to our own case, to claim an exception.
men mind fruit
God has so made the mind of man that a peculiar deliciousness resides in the fruits of personal industry.