J. C. Ryle Quotes

Much though he recites the sacred texts, but acts not accordingly, that heedless man is like a cowherd who only counts the cows of others - he does not partake of the blessings of the holy life.

Take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue and reasonable nature.

May your mind be thoroughly impressed with the absolute necessity of universal virtue and goodness, as the only sure road to happiness, and may you walk therein with undeviating steps.

It is not enough merely possess virtue, as if it were an art; it should be practiced.

Integrity means that if our private life were suddenly exposed, we'd have no reason to be ashamed or embarrassed. Integrity means that our outward life is consistent with our inner convictions.

The primary use of knowledge is for such guidance of conduct under all circumstances as shall make living complete. All other uses of knowledge are secondary.

Attend well to your character, and your reputation will look out for itself.

A tree may always be known by its fruit, and a true Christian may always be discovered by their habits, tastes & affections.

Ye must leave righteous ways behind, not to speak of unrighteous ways.

The holy man was the whole man, the man of integrity, who not only tried to change the world, but to live in it as it was.

My intent is to be generous of spirit and live with total integrity every day of my life.

If virtue precede us every step will be safe.

The finest defense of character is correct action. Acquaint yourself with virtue, and you can expect proper treatment from those around you.

The character ethic, which I believe to be the foundation of success, teaches that there are basic principles of effective living, and that people can only experience true success and enduring happiness as they learn and integrate these principles into their basic character.

The vicious count their years; virtuous, their acts.

He who outrages benevolence is called a ruffian: he who outrages righteousness is called a villain. I have heard of the cutting off of the villain Chow, but I have not heard of the putting of a ruler to death.

I have yet to meet a man as fond of high moral conduct as he is of outward appearances.

We often pray for purity, unselfishness, for the highest qualities of character, and forget that these things cannot be given, but must be earned.

We cannot have right virtue without right conditions.

We cannot live pleasantly without living wisely and nobly and righteously.

True religion is the life we lead, not the creed we profess.

If a man teach uprightly and walk crookedly, more will fall down in the night of his life than he built in the day of his doctrine.

They only have lived long who have lived virtuously.

One of the greatest failures of our generation is not living out the biblical precepts which we so clearly articulate.