John Tillotson Quotations

The crime of a bad example is the same whether men follow it or not, because he that gives bad example to others, does what in him lies to draw them into sin; and if they do not follow it, that is no mitigation of his fault.

If people would but provide for eternity with the same solicitude and real care as they do for this life, they could not fail of heaven.

We anticipate our own happiness, and eat out the heart and sweetness of worldly pleasures by delightful forethought of them.

Whatever convenience may be thought to be in falsehood and dissimulation, it is soon over; but the inconvenience of it is perpetual, because it brings a man under everlasting jealousy and suspicion, so that he is not believed when he speaks the truth, nor trusted when perhaps he means honestly.

When a man has once forfeited the reputation of his integrity, he is set fast, and nothing will then serve his turn, neither truth nor falsehood.

Fear is that passion which hath the greatest power over us, and by which God and His laws take the surest hold of us.

Malice and hatred are very fretting and vexatious, and apt to make our minds sore and uneasy; but he that can moderate these affections will find ease in his mind.

Great is the advantage of patience.

If they be principles evident of themselves, they need nothing to evidence them.

None so nearly disposed to scoffing at religion as those who have accustomed themselves to swear on trifling occasions.