Robert South

Robert South

Robert South (4 September 1634 – 8 July 1716) was an English churchman.

Quotes

Sermons Preached upon Several Occasions (1727)

Sermons Preached upon Several Occasions (Philadelphia: Sorin & Ball, 1844)

• An Aristotle was but the rubbish of an Adam, and Athens but the Rudiments of Paradise.
  • "Of the Creation of Man in the Image of God". Vol. 1

• Anger [is], according to some, a transient hatred, or at least very like it.
  • "Of the Creation of Man in the Image of God". Vol. 1, p. 29.

• Innocence is like polished armour; it adorns, and it defends.
  • "Interest Deposed, and Truth Restored". Vol. 1, p. 37.

• [W]onder is from surprise; and surprise ceases upon experience.
  • "The Duties of the Episcopal Function". Vol. 1, p. 75.

• Truth itself shall lose its credit, if delivered by a person that has none.
  • "The Duties of the Episcopal Function". Vol. 1, p. 83.

• For he that is a good man, is three quarters of his way towards the being a good Christian, wheresoever he lives, or whatsoever he is called.
  • "Why Christ's Doctrine Was Rejected by the Jews". Vol. 1, p. 102.

• [H]e that despairs limits an infinite power to a finite apprehension, and measures Providence by his own little contracted model.
  • "All Contingencies under the Direction of God's Providence" (Sermon preached at Westminster Abbey, February 22, 1684–5). Vol. 1, pp. 135–136.

• It is idleness that creates impossibilities; and where men care not to do a thing, they shelter themselves under a persuasion that it cannot be done.
  • "Good Intentions No Excuse for Bad Actions". Vol. 1, p. 161.

• [N]o man's religion ever survives his morals.
  • "Of the Origin, Nature, and Baseness of the Sin of Ingratitude" (Sermon preached at Christ Church, Oxon, 17 October 1675). Vol. 1, p. 172.

• [T]here never was any heart truly great and generous' that was not also tender and compassionate.
  • "Of the Origin, Nature, and Baseness of the Sin of Ingratitude" (Sermon preached at Christ Church, Oxon, 17 October 1675). Vol. 1, p. 183.

• [S]ociety is built upon trust, and trust upon the confidence that men have of one another's integrity.
  • "Of the Base Sins of Falsehood and Lying" (Sermon preached at Christ Church, Oxon, October 14, 1688). Vol. 1, p. 195.

• The seven wise men of Greece, so famous for their wisdom all the world over, acquired all that fame, each of them by a single sentence, consisting of two or three words.
  • "Against Long Extemporary Prayers". Vol. 1, p. 258.

• [I]f there be any truer measure of a man, than by what he does, it must be, by what he gives.
  • "Of a Worthy Preparation for the Sacrament of the Eucharist" (Sermon preached at Westminster Abbey, April 8, 1688). Vol. 1, p. 331.

• Passion is the drunkenness of the mind.
  • "Prevention of Sin an Invaluable Mercy" (Sermon preached at Christ Church, Oxon, November 10, 1678). Vol. 1, p. 354.

• [T]hough reason is not to be relied upon, as a guide universally sufficient to direct us what to do; yet it is generally to be relied upon and obeyed, where it tells us what we are not to do.
  • "The Nature and Measures of Conscience" (Sermon preached at Christ Church, Oxon, November 1, 1691). Vol. 1, p. 374.

• [M]ost of the appearing mirth in the world is not mirth, but art. The wounded spirit is not seen, but walks under a disguise.
  • "A Further Account of the Nature and Measures of Conscience" (Sermon preached at Christ Church, Oxon, October 30, 1692). Vol. 1, p. 395.

• Action is the highest perfection and drawing forth the utmost power, vigor, and activity of man's nature.
  • "False Foundations Removed, and True Ones Laid" (Sermon preached at St. Mary's, Oxford, December 10, 1661). Vol. 1, p. 460.

• The covetous person lives as if the world were made altogether for him, and not he for the world.
  • "On Covetousness". Vol. 2, p. 239.

• [A]s for covetousness, we may truly say of it, that it makes both the alpha and omega in the devil's alphabet, and that it is the first vice in corrupt nature which moves, and the last which dies.
  • "On Covetousness". Vol. 2, p. 244.

• Guilt upon the conscience, like rust upon iron, both defiles and consumes it, by degrees gnawing and creeping into it, as that does; till at length it has eat out the very heart and substance of the metal.
  • "On the Danger of Presumptuous Sins". Vol. 3, p. 291.

• He who has no mind to trade with the devil, should be so wise as to keep away from his shop.
  • "Heaven Promised to the Pure in Heart". Vol. 4, p. 332.

Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895)

Quotes reported in Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert, Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895).

• A man's life is an appendix to his heart.
  • P. 315.