Real knowledge, like everything else of value, is not to be obtained easily. It must be worked for, studied for, thought for, and, more than all, must be prayed for.
—Thomas Arnold
Topics: Knowledge
One’s age should be tranquil, as childhood should be playful. Hard work at either extremity of life seems out of place. At midday the sun may burn, and men labor under it; but the morning and evening should be alike calm and cheerful.
—Thomas Arnold
Topics: Aging, Age
I am well satisfied that if you let in but one little finger of tradition, you will have in the whole monster—horns and tail and all.
—Thomas Arnold
Topics: Tradition
My object will be, if possible, to form Christian men, for Christian boys I can scarcely hope to make.
—Thomas Arnold
Topics: Teaching, Teachers
Two things we ought to learn from history: one, that we are not in ourselves superior to our fathers; another, that we are shamefully and monstrously inferior to them, if we do not advance beyond them.
—Thomas Arnold
Topics: History
Rather than have it the principal thing in my son’s mind, I would gladly have him think that the sun went round the earth, and that the stars were so many spangles set in the bright blue firmament.
—Thomas Arnold
Topics: Science, Scientists
Probably the happiest period in life most frequently is in middle age, when the eager passions of youth are cooled, and the infirmities of age not yet begun; as we see that the shadows, which are at morning and evening so large, almost entirely disappear at mid-day.
—Thomas Arnold
Topics: Age, Aging
The difference between one man and another is not mere ability … it is energy.
—Thomas Arnold
Topics: Ability, Energy, Enthusiasm
All calm inquiry conducted among those who have their main principles of judgment in common, leads, if not to an approximation of views, yet, at least, to an increase of sympathy.
—Thomas Arnold
Differences of opinion give me but little concern; but it is a real pleasure to be brought into communication with any one who is in earnest, and who really look to God’s will as his standard of right and wrong, and judges of actions according to their greater or less conformity.
—Thomas Arnold
Topics: Opinion, God
Real knowledge, like everything else of the highest value, is not to be obtained easily. It must be worked for, studied for, thought for, and, more than all, it must be prayed for.
—Thomas Arnold
Topics: Knowledge
The distinction between Christianity and all other systems of religion consists largely in this, that in these others, men are found seeking after God, while Christianity is God seeking after men.
—Thomas Arnold
Topics: Christianity
What we must look for here is, firstly, religious and moral principles; secondly, gentlemanly conduct; thirdly, intellectual ability.
—Thomas Arnold
Topics: Education, School
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
John Keble English Religious Leader
Matthew Arnold English Poet, Critic
Stendhal (Marie-Henri Beyle) French Writer
William Ellery Channing American Theologian, Poet
Catherine McAuley Irish Religious Sister
Thomas Henry Huxley English Biologist
Al Alvarez English Critic, Poet, Novelist
John Henry Newman British Theologian, Poet
Aldous Huxley English Humanist
C. P. Scott British Journalist, Editor