Zeal is fit for wise men, but flourishes chiefly among fools.
—John Tillotson
A policy is a temporary creed liable to be changed, but while it holds good it has got to be pursued with apostolic zeal.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
Anger is a noble infirmity; the generous failing of the just; the one degree that riseth above zeal, asserting the prerogative of virtue.
—Martin Farquhar Tupper (1810–89) English Poet, Writer
For virtue’s self may too much zeal be had; the worst of madmen is a saint run mad.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
I like men who are temperate and moderate in everything. An excessive zeal for that which is good, though it may not be offensive to me, at all events raises my wonder, and leaves me in a difficulty how I should call it.
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–92) French Essayist
Had I but served my God with half the zeal
I served my king, he would not in mine age
Have left me naked to mine enemies.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Zealots have an idol, to which they consecrate themselves high priests, and deem it holy work to offer sacrifices of whatever is most precious.
—Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804–64) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
Zeal is very blind, or badly regulated, when it encroaches upon the rights of others.
—Pasquier Quesnel (1634–1719) French Jansenist Theologian
Whether zeal or moderation be the point we aim at, let us keep the fire out of the one, and the frost out of the other.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
Experience teaches us to be most on our guard to protect liberty when the government’s purpose is beneficent. Men born to freedom are naturally alert to repel invasion of their liberty by evil-minded rulers. The greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well-meaning but without understanding.
—Louis Brandeis (1856–1941) American Jurist
Zeal is like fire: it needs both feeding and watching.
—Common Proverb
Zealous men are ever displaying to you the strength of their belief, while judicious men are showing you the grounds of it.
—William Shenstone (1714–63) British Poet, Landscape Gardener
I do not love a man who is zealous for nothing.
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
I have never known a trader in philanthropy who was not wrong in his head or heart, somewhere or other.
—Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834) English Poet, Literary Critic, Philosopher
Zeal and duty are not slow; but on occasion’s firelock watchful wait.
—John Milton (1608–74) English Poet, Civil Servant, Scholar, Debater
There is no greater sign of a general decay of virtue in a nation, than a want of zeal in its inhabitants for the good of their country
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
Nothing can be fairer or more noble than the holy fervor of true zeal.
—Moliere (1622–73) French Playwright
Zeal for the public good is the characteristic of a man of honor and a gentleman, and must take the place of pleasures, profits, and all other private gratifications.
—Richard Steele (1672–1729) Irish Writer, Politician
The frenzy of nations is the statesmanship of fate.
—Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803–73) British Novelist, Poet, Politician
A fanatic is one who can’t change his mind and won’t change the subject.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
Experience should teach us to be most on our guard to protect liberty when the government’s purposes are beneficent. Men born to freedom are naturally alert to repel invasion of their liberty by evil-minded rulers. The greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well-meaning but without understanding.
—Louis Brandeis (1856–1941) American Jurist
Violent zeal even for truth has a hundred to one odds to be either petulancy, ambition, or pride.
—Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) Irish Satirist
To be furious in religion is to be irreligiously religious.
—William Penn (1644–1718) American Entrepreneur, Philosopher, Political Leader
Through zeal, knowledge is gotten; through lack of zeal, knowledge is lost.
—Buddhist Teaching
Weaken a bad habit by avoiding everything that occasioned it or stimulated it, without concentrating upon it in your zeal to avoid it. Then divert your mind to some good habit and steadily cultivate it until it becomes a dependable part of you.
—Paramahansa Yogananda (1893–1952) Indian Hindu Mystic, Philosopher, Religious Leader
Too much zeal spoils everything.
—Common Proverb
When we see an eager assailant of wrongs, a special reformer, we feel like asking him, What right have you, sir, to your one virtue? Is virtue piecemeal?
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
People give the name of zeal to their propensity to mischief and violence, though it is not the cause, but their interest that inflames them.
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–92) French Essayist
Experience shows that success is due less to ability than to zeal. The winner is he who gives himself to his work, body and soul.
—Thomas Buxton, 1st Baronet (1786–1845) British Philanthropist, Abolitionist
Morale is the state of mind. It is steadfastness and courage and hope. It is confidence and zeal and loyalty. It is elan, esprit de corps and determination.
—George Marshall (1880–1959) American General, Statesman
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