The collection / 34 fragments

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Passages, proverbs, and questions carried across the ages.

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01c. 1662 AD

If God were not a necessary Being of himself, he might almost seem to be made for the use and benefit of men.

John Tillotson / quote

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02c. 1662 AD

When men live as if there were no God, it becomes expedient for them that there should be none; and then they endeavor to persuade themselves so.

John Tillotson / quote

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03c. 1662 AD

If people would but provide for eternity with the same solicitude and real care as they do for this life, they could not fail of heaven.

John Tillotson / quote

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04c. 1662 AD

He who provides for this life, but takes no care for eternity, is wise for a moment, but a fool forever.

John Tillotson / quote

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05c. 1662 AD

To be happy is not only to be freed from the pains and diseases of the body, but from anxiety and vexation of spirit; not only to enjoy the pleasures of sense, but peace of conscience and tranquillity of mind.

John Tillotson / quote

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06c. 1662 AD

A more glorious victory cannot be gained over another man than this, that when the injury began on his part, the kindness should begin on ours.

John Tillotson / quote

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07c. 1662 AD

To be always intending to live a new life, but never to find time to set about it; this is as if a man should put off eating and drinking and sleeping from one day and night to another, till he is starved and destroyed.

John Tillotson / quote

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08c. 1662 AD

There is no man that is knowingly wicked but is guilty to himself; and there is no man that carries guilt about him but he receives a sting in his soul.

John Tillotson / quote

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09c. 1662 AD

If a man were only to deal in the world for a day, and should never have occasion to converse more with mankind, never more need their good opinion or good word, it were then no great matter (speaking as to the concernments of this world), if a man spent his reputation all at once, and ventured it at one throw; but if he be to continue in the world, and would have the advantage of conversation while he is in it, let him make use of truth and sincerity in all his words and actions; for nothing but this will last and hold out to the end.

John Tillotson / quote

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10c. 1662 AD

If the show of any thing be good for any thing, I am sure sincerity is better; for why does any man dissemble, or seem to be that which he is not, but because he thinks it good to have such a quality as he pretends to?

John Tillotson / quote

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11c. 1662 AD

Sincerity is to speak as we think, to do as we pretend and profess, to perform and make good what we promise, and really to be what we would seem and appear to be.

John Tillotson / quote

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12c. 1662 AD

Truth is always consistent with itself, and needs nothing to help it out. It is always near at hand, and sits upon our lips, and is ready to drop out before we are aware; whereas a lie is troublesome, and sets a man's invention upon the rack; and one trick needs a great many more to make it good.

John Tillotson / quote

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13c. 1662 AD

Truth is the shortest and nearest way to our end, carrying us thither in a straight line.

John Tillotson / quote

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14c. 1662 AD

He that does not know those things which are of use and necessity for him to know, is but an ignorant man, whatever he may know besides.

John Tillotson / quote

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15c. 1662 AD

Integrity is the shortest and nearest way to our end, carrying us thither in a straight line, and will hold out and last longest.

John Tillotson / quote

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16c. 1662 AD

Philosophy has given several plausible rules for attaining peace and tranquillity, but they fall very much short of bringing men to it.

John Tillotson / quote

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17c. 1662 AD

Religion gives part of its reward in hand, the present comfort of having done our duty; and for the rest, it offers us the best security that heaven can give.

John Tillotson / quote

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18c. 1662 AD

The arts of deceit and cunning do continually grow weaker, and less effectual and serviceable to them that use them.

John Tillotson / quote

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19c. 1662 AD

The covetous man heaps up riches, not to enjoy them, but to have them.

John Tillotson / quote

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20c. 1662 AD

The crafty man is always in danger; and when he thinks he walks in the dark, all his pretences are so transparent, that he that runs may read them.

John Tillotson / quote

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21c. 1662 AD

There is no surer argument of a weak mind than irresolution.

John Tillotson / quote

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22c. 1662 AD

Those who are bent to do wickedly will never want tempters to urge them on.

John Tillotson / quote

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23c. 1662 AD

When a man has once forfeited the reputation of his integrity, he is set fast; and nothing will then serve his turn, neither truth nor falsehood.

John Tillotson / quote

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24c. 1662 AD

Where truth is not at the bottom, Nature will always be endeavouring to return, and will peep out and betray herself one time or other.

John Tillotson / quote

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