Quote#God & Faith
Maintain a constant watch at all times against a dogmatical spirit:…
Quote byIsaac Watts · 1674–1748
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: The Improvement of the Mind (1727), (1741), Ch. I, General Rules for the Improvement of Knowlege, Rule X "Avoid a dogmatical spirit"..
English (original)
Maintain a constant watch at all times against a dogmatical spirit: fix not your assent to any proposition in a firm and unalterable manner, till you have some firm and unalterable ground for it, and till you have arrived at some clear and sure evidence.
— Isaac Watts
More from Isaac Watts
Lord, I ascribe it to thy grace, And not to chance as others do, That I was born of Christian race, And not a Heathen, or a Jew.
Whene'er I take my walks abroad, How many poor I see! What shall I render to my God For all his gifts to me?
I would not change my native land For rich Peru with all her gold. A nobler prize lies in my hand Than East or Western Indies hold.
Were I so tall to reach the pole, Or grasp the ocean with my span, I must be measured by my soul; The mind's the standard of the man.
There's not a place where we can flee, But God is present there.
Just as a tree cut down, that fell To north, or southward, there it lies: So man departs to heaven or hell, Fix'd in the state wherein he dies.