Henry Ward Beecher Quotes

To attempt to superimpose its views through the exercise of force, is seldom the part of intelligence; it is frequently the part of ignorance.

Force is legitimate where gentleness avails not.

You can build a throne with bayonets, but you can't sit on it for long.

Right reason is stronger than force.

Arabs respect only the language of force.

The Sword and its law have existed from the beginning of the world. The use of force can never prevent heresy.

If you are strong, and if you have a strong logic, you can convince people by your ideas. Torture means your logic is very weak, so you need power to impose on others.

… morality ends where the gun begins.

You don't lead by hitting people over the head - that's assault, not leadership.

I have with me two gods, Persuasion and Compulsion.

He makes a great mistake... who supposes that authority is firmer or better established when it is founded by force than that which is welded by affection.

Force always attracts men of low morality.

The state has physical power and uses it when necessary; the power of religion is love and beneficence.

Power is a tool, influence is a skill; one is a fist, the other a fingertip.

Might was the measure of right.

What a different world this would be if people would listen to those who know more and not merely try to get something from those who have more.

The wisest have the most authority.

The power that is supported by force alone will have cause often to tremble.

Any body of men who believe in hell will persecute whenever they have the power.

Knowledge will give you power, but character respect.

The power which establishes a state is violence; the power which maintains it is violence; the power which eventually overthrows it is violence.

There exist only three beings worthy of respect: the priest, the soldier, the poet. To know, to kill, to create.

When it comes to tyrants, dictators and terrorists, strength and the threat of force is the only language they understand.

I don't believe in strong-arming people.

Those who 'abjure' violence can do so only because others are committing violence on their behalf.