John Greenleaf Whittier Quotes
Page 1 of 3 John Greenleaf Whittier
1807-1892
John Greenleaf Whittier was an influential American Quaker poet and ardent advocate of the abolition of slavery in the United States.
Although he received little formal education, he was an avid reader who studied his father's six books on Quakerism until their teachings became the foundation of his ideology. Whittier was heavily influenced by the doctrines of his religion, particularly its stress on humanitarianism, compassion, and social responsibility.
Whittier produced two collections of antislavery poetry: Poems Written during the Progress of the Abolition Question in the United States, between 1830 and 1838 and Voices of Freedom (1846). He was an elector in the presidential election of 1860 and of 1864, voting for Abraham Lincoln both times.
The passage of the Thirteenth Amendment in 1865 ended both slavery and his public cause, so Whittier turned to other forms of poetry for the remainder of his life.
 The best of a book is not the thought which it contains, but the thought which it suggests; just as the charm of music dwells not in the tones but in the echoes of our hearts. Topics: Books, Music | | One brave deed makes no hero. Topics: Character | | For all sad words of tongue and pen, The saddest are these, 'It might have been'. Topics: Discouragement, The Tongue | | I'll lift you and you lift me, and we'll both ascend together. Topics: Encouragement | | When faith is lost, when honor dies, the man is dead. Topics: Faith | | The steps of faith fall on the seeming void, but find the rock beneath. Topics: Faith | |
| | God's providence is not blind, but full of eyes. Topics: God, Providence | | Beauty seen is never lost, God's colors all are fast. Topics: God, Beauty | | Before me, even as behind, God is, and all is well. Topics: God | | The smile of God is victory. Topics: God, Victory | | Who fathoms the Eternal Thought? Who talks of scheme and plan? The Lord is God! He needeth not the poor device of man. Topics: God | | Forever from the hand that takes one blessing from us, others fall; and soon or late, our Father makes his perfect recompense to all. Topics: God |
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