Top 10 Quotes by James McCosh

The book to read is not the one which thinks for you, but the one which makes you think.

The book to read is not the one which thinks for you, but the one which makes you think.

Motivational, Book, Reading

Pride looks back upon its past deeds, and calculating with nicety what it has done, it commits itself to rest; whereas humility looks to that which is before, and discovering how much ground remains to be trodden, it is active and vigilant. Having gained one height, pride looks down with complacency on that which is beneath it; humility looks up to a higher and yet higher elevation. The one keeps us on this earth, which is congenial to its nature; the other directs our eye, and tends to lift us up to heaven.

James McCosh

Eye, Humility, Pride

"Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers" by Josiah Hotchkiss Gilber, p. 485, 1895.

True humility is a Christian grace and one of the fruits of the Spirit, originating in a deep consciousness of sin past and present, and leading us to discover our nothingness in the view of God, our insufficiency for any thing that is good, and prompting us, as we feel our infirmities, to strive after higher and yet higher attainments.

James McCosh

Christian, Humility, Past

"Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers". Dictionary by Gilbert, Josiah Hotchkiss, p. 329, 1895.

Newton supposed that all matter attracted other matter inversely according to the square of the distance; and the hypothesis was found to account for the whole movements of the heavenly bodies; which all became verifications of what Newton supposed to be the law of the solar system. Adopt the hypothesis that Jesus was what He is represented, and the whole of the books and the history becomes a verification.

James McCosh

Jesus, Distance, Book

James McCosh (1875). “Christianity and Positivism: A Series of Lectures to the Times on Natural Theology and Apologetics”, p.307

They who know most of God on earth or heaven know that they know little after all; but they know that they may know more and more of Him throughout eternal ages.

James McCosh

Humility, Heaven, Age

James McCosh (2009). “First and Fundamental Truths”, p.170, Applewood Books

It is the man that makes the motive, and not the motive the man.

James McCosh

Men, He Man, Motive

James McCosh (2009). “The Method of the Divine Government”, p.280, Applewood Books

I hold that we have a very imperfect knowledge of the works of nature till we view them as works of God,— not only as works of mechanism, but works of intelligence, not only as under laws, but under a Lawgiver, wise and good.

James McCosh

Wise, Views, Law

James McCosh (1875). “Christianity and Positivism: A Series of Lectures to the Times on Natural Theology and Apologetics”, p.147

As ages roll on there is doubtless a progression in human nature. The intellectual comes to rule the physical, and the moral claims to subordinate both. It is no longer strength of body that prevails, but strength of mind; while the law of God proclaims itself superior to both.

James McCosh

Law, Mind, Intellectual

Our Lord's miracles were all essential parts of His one consistent life. They were wrought as evidences not only of His power, but of His mercy. They were throughout moral in their character, and spiritual in the ends contemplated by them. They were in fact embodiments of His whole character; exemplars of His whole teaching, emblems of His whole mission.

James McCosh

Spiritual, Teaching, Character

James McCosh (1875). “Christianity and Positivism: A Series of Lectures to the Times on Natural Theology and Apologetics, Delivered in New York, Jan. 16 to March 20, 1871, on the "Ely Foundation" of the Union Theological Seminary”, p.290

When Christianity is received, it stimulates the faculties, and calls forth new ideas, new motives and new sentiments. It has been the mother of all modern education

James McCosh

Mother, Ideas, Christianity

James McCosh (1875). “Christianity and Positivism: A Series of Lectures to the Times on Natural Theology and Apologetics”, p.340