James Martineau (1805–1900) was an English Unitarian theologian and philosopher whose writings highlighted the importance of an individual’s conscience in deciding on proper behavior. He was a brother of the ground-breaking social theorist Harriet Martineau.
Born in Norwich, Norfolk, Martineau was educated at Norwich Grammar School, Dr. Lang Carpenter’s School at Bristol, and Manchester New College. He entered the Unitarian ministry in 1828, becoming a Unitarian minister in Dublin and Liverpool until 1841, when he was appointed professor of mental and moral philosophy at Manchester New College. Martineau left for London in 1857 when his organization relocated. He also became a pastor in Little Portland Street Chapel and later principal of the College (1869–85.)
One of the most profound thinkers and persuasive writers of his day, Martineau wrote Endeavours after the Christian Life (1843–47,) A Study of Spinoza (1882,) Types of Ethical Theory (1885,) A Study of Religion (1888,) and The Seat of Authority in Religion (1890.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by James Martineau
The moral progression of a people can scarcely begin till they are independent.
—James Martineau
Topics: Independence
We do not believe in immortality because we have proved it, but, we forever try to prove it because we believe it.
—James Martineau
Topics: Cause, Believe, Faith, Try, Immortality
Where social improvements originate with the clergy, and where they bear a just share of the toil, the condition of morals and manners cannot be very much depressed.
—James Martineau
Topics: Morality
All the grand agencies which the progress of mankind evolves are the aggregate result of countless wills, each of which, thinking merely of its own end, and perhaps fully gaining it, is at the same time enlisted by Providence in the secret service of the world.
—James Martineau
Topics: Will, Progress
Religion is no more possible without prayer than poetry without language or music without atmosphere.
—James Martineau
Topics: Prayer
Heaven and God are best discerned through tears; scarcely perhaps are discerned at all without them. The constant association of prayer with the hour of bereavement and the scenes of death suffice to show this.
—James Martineau
Topics: Tears
Religion is the belief in an ever-living God, that is, in a Divine Mind and Will ruling the Universe and holding moral relations with mankind.
—James Martineau
Every fiction that has ever laid strong hold on human belief is the mistaken image of some great truth.
—James Martineau
Topics: Fiction
Learn what a people glory in, and you may learn much of both the theory and practice of their morals.
—James Martineau
Topics: Morality
Grief is only the memory of widowed affections.
—James Martineau
Topics: Grieving, Grief
Religion is no more possible without prayer than poetry without language or music without atmosphere.
—James Martineau
Topics: Religion
What science calls the unity and uniformity of nature, truth calls the fidelity of God.
—James Martineau
A ritual religion is generally light and gay, not serious in its spirit; all religions being so, which cast responsibility into outward observances.
—James Martineau
Topics: Religion
The health of a community, is an almost unfailing index of its morals.
—James Martineau
Topics: Morality
It is surprising how practical duty enriches the fancy and the heart, and action clears and deepens the affections.
—James Martineau
Topics: Duty
The mere lapse of years is not life. To eat, to drink, and sleep; to be exposed to darkness and the light; to pace around in the mill of habit, and turn thought into an instrument of trade-this is not life. Knowledge, truth, love, beauty, goodness, faith, alone can give vitality to the mechanism of existence.
—James Martineau
Topics: Life
Christianity is the good man’s text; his life is the illustration. How admirable is that religion, which, while it seems to have in view only the felicity of another world, is at the same time the highest happiness of this.
—James Martineau
Topics: Religion
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