One filled with joy preaches without preaching.
—Mother Teresa (1910–97) Roman Catholic Missionary, Nun
For years I have attended the ministrations of the house of God on the Sabbath, and though my pursuits are literary, I tell you I have received through all these years, more intellectual nourishment and stimulus from the pulpit, than from all other sources combined.
—Josiah Gilbert Holland (1819–81) American Editor, Novelist
To love to preach is one thing—to love those to whom we preach, quite another.
—Richard Cecil
Though we live in a reading age and in a reading community, yet the preaching of the Gospel is the form in which human agency has been and still is most efficaciously employed for the spiritual improvement of men.
—Daniel Webster (1782–1852) American Statesman, Lawyer
The Christian ministry is the worst of all trades, but the best of all professions.
—John Newton (1725–1807) English Clergyman, Writer
It requires as much reflection and wisdom to know what is not to be put into a sermon, as what is.
—Richard Cecil
The pulpit is the clergyman’s parade; the parish is his field of active service.
—Robert South (1634–1716) English Theologian, Preacher
My grand point in preaching is to break the hard heart, and to heal the broken one.
—John Newton (1725–1807) English Clergyman, Writer
A preacher should have the skill to teach the unlearned simply, roundly, and plainly; for teaching is of more importance than exhorting.
—Martin Luther (1483–1546) German Protestant Theologian
Grant that I may never rack a Scripture simile beyond the true intent thereof, lest, instead of sucking milk, I squeeze blood out of it.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
The object of preaching, is, constantly to remind mankind of what they are constantly forgetting; not to supply the defects of human intelligence, but to fortify the feebleness of human resolutions; to recall mankind from the bypaths where they turn into that broad path of salvation which all know, but few tread.
—Sydney Smith (1771–1845) English Clergyman, Essayist, Wit
The world looks at ministers out of the pulpit to know what they mean when in it.
—Richard Cecil
It is hardly to be believed how spiritual reflections when mixed with a little physics can hold people’s attention and give them a livelier idea of God than do the often ill-applied examples of his wrath.
—Georg Christoph Lichtenberg (1742–99) German Philosopher, Physicist
He who the sword of heaven will bear, should be as holy as severe.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
A minister asked a little boy how to get to the Post Office. After the little boy told him, the minister said, Why don’t you come to church tonight? I’m giving instructions on how to get to heaven. After thinking a minute, the boy replied, I don’t think so. You don’t even know how to get to the Post Office.
—Unknown
He preaches well that lives well.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
Many a meandering discourse one hears, in which the preacher aims at nothing, and—hits it.
—Richard Whately (1787–1863) English Philosopher, Theologian
Every accent, every emphasis, every modulation of voice, was so perfectly well turned and well placed, that, without being interested in the subject, one could not help being pleased with the discourse; a pleasure of much the same kind with that received from an excellent piece of music. This is an advantage itinerant preachers have over those who are stationary, as the latter can not well improve their delivery of a sermon by so many rehearsals.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
The good rain, like a bad preacher, does not know when to leave off.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Some plague the people with too long sermons; for the faculty of listening is a tender thing, and soon becomes weary and satiated.
—Martin Luther (1483–1546) German Protestant Theologian
A man who is good enough to go to heaven is not good enough to be a clergyman.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Men of God have always, from time to time, walked among men, and made their commission felt in the heart and soul of the commonest hearer.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Reasons are the pillars of the fabric of a sermon, but similitudes are the windows which give the best light. The faithful minister avoids such stories as may suggest bad thoughts to the auditors, and will not use a light comparison to make thereof a grave application, for fear lest his poison go further than his antidote.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
I love a serious preacher, who speaks for my sake and not for his own; who seeks my salvation, and not his own vainglory. He best deserves to be heard who uses speech only to clothe his thoughts, and his thoughts only to promote truth and virtue. Nothing is more detestable than a professed declaimer, who retails his discourses as a quack does his medicine.
—Jean Baptiste Massillon (1663–1742) French Catholic Religious Leader, Theologian
Few sinners are saved after the first 20 minutes of a sermon.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
The world looks at preachers out of church to know what they mean in it.
—Richard Cecil
The worst behaved students turn out to be the most pious preachers.
—German Proverb
I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day; I’d rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way: The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear, fine counsel is confusing, but example’s always clear.
—Edgar Guest (1881–1959) English-born American Poet, Radio Personality, TV Personality
The defects of a preacher are soon spied. Let him be endued with ten virtues, and have but one fault, and that one fault will eclipse and darken all his virtues and gifts, so evil is the world in these times.
—Martin Luther (1483–1546) German Protestant Theologian
But, good my brother, do not, as some ungracious pastors do. Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven whilst like a puffed and reckless libertine himself the primrose path of dalliance treads and wrecks not his own.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
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