John Charles Ryle

The end to which good men's libraries finally come is a melancholy subject. Few things are so much loved by some, and despised and neglected by others, as books, and specially theological books.

It has often been observed that the mothers of great men, and especially of great divines, have been remarkable for strong mind and force of intellect. Mothers have been found, as a general rule, to influence children's character far more …

With all the stir made about education, the ignorance of our own country's history is something lamentable and appalling and depressing.

Examine your own hearts. Do you see there any habit or custom which you know is wrong in the sight of God? If you do, don't delay for a moment in attacking it. Resolve at once to lay it aside. Nothing darkens the eyes of the mind so much, …

Value all books in proportion as they are agreeable to Scripture. Those that are nearest to it are the best, and those that are farthest from it, and most contrary to it, are the worst.

Hell itself is truth known too late.

Tomorrow is the devil's day, but today is God's. Satan cares not how spiritual your intentions may be, and how holy your resolutions, if only they are fixed for tomorrow.

[T]he parent who tries to train without setting a good example is building with one hand and pulling down with the other.

Fear puts an end to openness of manner; fear leads to concealment; fear sows the seed of much hypocrisy, and leads to many a lie.

All the simplicity in the world can do no good, unless you preach the simple Gospel of Jesus Christ so fully and clearly that everybody can understand it. If Christ crucified has not His rightful place in your sermons, and sin is not …

Before Christ comes, it is useless to expect to see a perfect Church.

There are some things of which we never know the value of till they are taken from us.

Where no visible fruit can be found, there you may be sure is no conversion.

Let your Christianity be so unmistakeable, your eye so single, your heart so whole, your walk so straightforward, that all who see you may have no doubt whose you are and whom you serve.

Do something, by God's help, to make heaven more full and hell more empty.

We live in an age when there is a false glare on the things of time, and a great mist over the things of eternity.

The Bible in the pulpit must never supersede the Bible at home.

When I speak of a man "growing in grace," I mean simply this—that his sense of sin is becoming deeper, his faith stronger, his hope brighter, his love more extensive, his spiritual-mindedness more marked.

Let us receive nothing, believe nothing, follow nothing, which is not in the Bible, nor can be proved by the Bible.

Never let us be guilty of sacrificing any portion of truth upon the altar of peace.

A true worshipper will every year know more of self, and God, and heaven, and duty, and doctrine, and practice, and experience. His religion is a living thing, and will grow.

The blood of Christ can cleanse away all sin. But we must "plead guilty" before God can declare us innocent.

Our Lord has many weak children in His family, many dull pupils in His school, many raw soldiers in His army, and many lame sheep in His flock. Yet He bears with them all, and casts none away.

[T]he devil has more knowledge than any of us, and yet is no better for it.