Vance Havner Quotes

Real knowledge, like everything else of value, is not to be obtained easily. It must be worked for, studied for, thought for, and, more that all, must be prayed for.

When I pray, I ask for guidance in my life to be the best person I can be, to learn what I need to learn, and to grow from what I learn.

The learned man knows that he is ignorant.

Deep-versed in books and shallow in himself.

An humble knowledge of thyself is a surer way to God than a deep search after learning.

He that desireth to acquire any art or science seeketh first those means by which that art or science is obtained. If we ought to do so in things natural and earthly, how much more then in spiritual?

One person who has mastered life is better than a thousand persons who have mastered only the contents of books, but no one can get anything out of life without God.

I was on my own at Wellesley, surrounded by a lot of young women who were motivated and intellectually curious. I started to read because I was required to do so for class, but I soon found myself enjoying the seclusion of the library. I came to see reading as an important way to learn about people, including myself.

The best way to obtain truth and wisdom is not to ask from books, but to go to God in prayer, and obtain divine teaching.

Knowing what I don't know helps me every day.

Education, introspection, self-love and excellence are the only ways to overcome the wrath of ignorance

Who does not understand should either learn, or be silent.

Most men believe that it would benefit them if they could get a little from those who have more. How much more would it benefit them if they would learn a little from those who know more.

There is more value in a little study of humility and in a single act of it than in all the knowledge in the world.

The man who realizes his ignorance has taken the first step toward knowledge.

Teach thy tongue to say 'I do not know', and thou shalt progress.

Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn.

I would be a poorer person if the only things I knew were what I had found out for myself.

He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened.

I'm not quite pompous enough to think of myself as an educator or a man capable of definitive refutation of falsehoods.

Solitude can be used well by very few people. They who do must have a knowledge of the world to see the foolishness of it, and enough virtue to despise all the vanity.

It is glorious to become a learner again at my time of life.

Why would anyone walk through life satisfied with the light from the candle of their own understanding when, by reaching out to our Heavenly Father, they could experience the bright sun of spiritual knowledge that would expand their minds with wisdom and fill their souls with joy?

If I am not, may God put me there; and if I am, may God so keep me.

You learn from everything.