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LEIGHTON, Robert Quotes
(1611-1684), Scottish archbishop
Adversity is the diamond dust Heaven polishes its jewels with.
The flower that follows the sun does so even in cloudy days.
Calumny would soon starve and die of itself if nobody took it in and gave it a lodging.
Great is he who enjoys his earthenware as if it were plate, and not less great is the man to whom all his plate is no more than earthenware.
A holy life is a voice; it speaks when the tongue is silent, and is either a constant attraction or a perpetual reproof.
The world dares say no more for its device, than "while I live, I hope"; but the children of God can add by virtue of a living hope, "while I expire, I hope."
If thou wouldst find much favor and peace with God and man, be very low in thine own eyes. Forgive thyself little and others much.
Good words do more than hard speeches, as the sunbeams, without any noise, will make the traveler cast off his cloak, which all the blustering winds could not do, but only make him bind it closer to him.
How shall I do to love? Believe. How shall I do to believe? Love.
Forgive thyself little, and others much.
True prayer never comes weeping home: I am sure that I shall get either what I ask, or what I ought to have asked.
Sin is first pleasing, then it grows easy, then delightful, then frequent, then habitual, then confirmed; then the man is impenitent, then he is obstinate, then he is resolved never to repent, and then he is ruined.
Calumny would soon starve and die of itself if nobody took it in and gave it lodging.
The cure of an evil tongue must be done at the heart. The weights and wheels are there, and the clock strikes according to their motion. A guileful heart makes a guileful tongue and lips. It is the work-house where is the forge of deceits and slanders; and the tongue is only the outer shop where they are vended, and the door of it. Such ware as is made within, such, and no other, can come out.
There are but ten precepts of the law of God, and two of them, so far as concerns the outward organ and vent of the sins there forbidden, are bestowed on the tongue, as though it was ready to fly out both against God and man, if not thus bridled.
God hath many sharp-cutting instruments and rough files for the polishing of his jewels; and those he especially loves, and means to make the most resplendent, he hath oftenest his tools upon.
Good words do more than hard speeches, as the sunbeams without any noise will make the traveller cast off his cloak, which all the blustering wind: could not do, but only make him bind it closer to him.
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