Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by John Bartholomew Gough (American Temperance Orator)

John Bartholomew Gough (1817–86) was an Anglo-American temperance orator, and drunkard-turned-teetotal celebrity. He was one of the most popular itinerant lecturers of the Victorian era.

Born at Sandgate, Kent, England, Gough immigrated to America at twelve. He lived for two years with family friends on a farm in New York State, apprenticed at New York City bookbindery, and became a confirmed drunkard in his late teens. He struggled to keep jobs and even failed at supporting himself as a ballad singer and storyteller at a traveling diorama.

In 1842, Gough signed a temperance pledge in Worcester, Massachusetts. Many lapses later, he vowed to devote his life to lecturing on behalf of temperance reform. He became a prominent temperance orator, and his dramatic lectures were much sought after across America, England, and its Canadian provinces. His lectures were so popular that imitators in Australia and New Zealand delivered them.

Gough’s works include Autobiography (1846,) Orations (1854,) Temperance Addresses (1870,) Temperance Lectures (1879,) and Sunlight and Shadow, or Gleanings from My Life Work (1880.)

More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by John Bartholomew Gough

A man is what he is, not what men say he is. His character no man can touch. His character is what he is before his God and his Judge; and only himself can damage that. His reputation is what men say he is. That can be damaged; but reputation is for time, character is for eternity.
—John Bartholomew Gough
Topics: Reputation

Every moderate drinker could abandon the intoxicating cup, if he would; every inebriate would if he could.
—John Bartholomew Gough
Topics: Drinking

If you want to succeed in the world you must make your own opportunities as you go on. The man who waits for some seventh wave to toss him on dry land will find that the seventh wave is a long time coming.
—John Bartholomew Gough
Topics: Opportunities, Confidence, Opportunity, Self-reliance, Success

A man’s enemies have no power to harm him, if he is true to himself and loyal to God.
—John Bartholomew Gough

Temperance is the lawful gratification of a natural and healthy appetite.
—John Bartholomew Gough

Eloquence is the transference of thought and emotion from one heart to another, no matter how it is done.
—John Bartholomew Gough
Topics: Eloquence

What you learn from bad habits and in bad society, you will never forget, and it will be a lasting pang to you. I tell you in all sincerity, not as in the excitement of speech, but as I would confess and have confessed before God, I would give my right hand if I could forget that which I have learned in bad society.
—John Bartholomew Gough

It may be a very little thing for you to say to a young man the few words that turn him from the way of ruin, and win him back to life and hope. It may be a very little thing to you; but it is every thing to the young man.
—John Bartholomew Gough

If you want to succeed in the world you must make your own opportunities as you go on. The man who waits for some seventh wave to toss him on dry land will find that the seventh wave is a long time coming. You can commit no greater folly than to sit by the road side until someone comes along and invites you to ride with him to wealth or influence.
—John Bartholomew Gough
Topics: Opportunity, Success

One of those poor fellows that had become a Christian was badgered by his companions; and one of them said, “How do you know that Jesus Christ has forgiven your sins? ” The man turned at once and said, “How do you know when you have got sugar in your tea?”
—John Bartholomew Gough

Intemperance weaves the winding-sheet of souls.
—John Bartholomew Gough

If the Bible is God’s word, and we believe it, let us handle it with reverence.
—John Bartholomew Gough

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