J. C. Ryle Quotes

If you see from your rulers what you hate, hate the action they do but do not rebel against them You should listen and obey them even if the ruler smites your back and takes your wealth.

Genius goes around the world in its youth incessantly apologizing for having large feet. What wonder that later in life it should be inclined to raise those feet too swiftly to fools and bores.

The metaphor of the king as the shepherd of his people goes back to ancient Egypt. Perhaps the use of this particular convention is due to the fact that, being stupid, affectionate, gregarious, and easily stampeded, the societies formed by sheep are most like human ones.

Kings may be judges of the earth, but wise men are the judges of kings.

In a democratic society, we politicians have to accept criticism, especially when it is founded.

A king who desires his own welfare must always forgive litigants, infants, aged and sick men, who inveigh against him.

A state would be happy where philosophers were kings or kings were philosophers.

I have told you already a hundred times: You are not a King and yet you have no idea how to be one …. All your difficulties and anxieties come from your own bad administration and because you have never paid any attention to my advice. I shall always regret having given you a kingdom where you have merely profited from the reputation of my name

I did not come to Washington to be loved, and I have not been disappointed.

It is better to be without a king than to have a bad one.

I've never won an argument with my wife; and the only time I thought I had I found out the argument wasn't over yet.

The critics have been writing me off for 20 years. That's nothing new. As far as I know I still have plenty of fans and sell lots of records. Do I care what critics say about me? No, and I don't read reviews.

In order that a people may be free, it is necessary that the governed be sages, and those who govern, gods.

I always had the sense with her that she didn't suffer fools gladly but that life was taking great pains to show her how.

I have chosen a different path when talking about the failings of the Republican leadership. I don't make it personal, and many other people do, and I suspect maybe they're not aware of that. If everybody's dumping on 'em, they're gonna conclude that everybody is.

The queens in history compare favorably with the kings.

When you realize where you come from, you naturally become tolerant, amused, kindhearted as a grandmother, and dignified as a king. Immersed in wonder, you can deal with whatever life brings you, and when death comes, you are ready.

I am itching to criticize some well-regarded writers' works, but I am not doing it because I am perfectly aware that my critique could easily be reduced to envy or just plain meanness.

Life goes before we know what it is. / One fool is enough in any house. / Even God gets tired of too much hallelujah. / Take it easy and live long as brothers.

A man in public life expects to be sneered at -- it is the fault of his elevated situation, and not of himself.

God bears with imperfect beings even when they resist His goodness. We ought to imitate this merciful patience and endurance. It is only imperfection that complains of what is imperfect. The more perfect we are, the more gentle and quiet we become toward the defects of other people.

I am not given to finding fault, for there are innumerable fools.

At this moment, I have in my heart a prayer. As I have assumed my heavy duties, I humbly pray, Almighty God, in the words of King Solomon: 'Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad, for who is able to judge this thy so great people?' I ask only to be a good and faithful servant of my LORD and my people.