Quote#Books & Reading
Why then, if these books for children must be retained, as they will…
Quote byFisher Ames · 1758–1808
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Published in Palladium (January 1801), reported in Fisher Ames, John Thornton Kirkland, Works of Fisher Ames (1809), p. 134-35..
English (original)
Why then, if these books for children must be retained, as they will be, should not the bible regain the place it once held as a school book ? Its morals are pure, its examples captivating and noble. The reverence for the sacred book, that is thus early impressed, lasts long; and, probably, if not impressed in infancy, never takes firm hold of the mind.
— Fisher Ames
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The gentleman puts me in mind of an old hen which persists in setting after her eggs are taken away.
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