Quotes about religion
498 quotes from 232 people
Zeal to do all that is in one’s power is, in truth, a proof of piety.
Julian331–363Fragment of a Letter to a Priest (tr. W. C. Wright, ii, 1913)Never dream of forcing men into the ways of God. Think yourself, and let think.
John Wesley1703–1791Sermons on Several Occasions (1771)The inner spaces that a good story lets us enter are the old apartments of religion.
John Updike1932–2009Introduction to The Best American Short Stories of 1984 (1984)I’m wary of faith outside of actions. I’m wary of religiosity that ignores the wider world.
Bonoborn 1960Rolling Stone interview (2005)The greatest tragedy in mankind’s entire history may be the hijacking of morality by religion.
Arthur C. Clarke1917–2008“Credo” (1991)Generally speaking, the errors in religion are dangerous; those in philosophy only ridiculous.
David Hume1711–1776A Treatise of Human Nature (1739-40), Book 1: Of the understanding, Part 4, Section 7Religion and art spring from the same root and are close kin. Economics and art are strangers.
Willa Cather1873–1947“Four Letters: Escapism” first published in Commonweal (17 April 1936)We must constantly remind ourselves that whatever our religion or creed, we are all one people.
Jawaharlal Nehru1889–1964Radio address to the Defence Services (1 December 1947)From the point of view of a tapeworm, man was created by God to serve the appetite of the tapeworm.
Edward Abbey1927–1989A Voice Crying in the Wilderness (Vox Clamantis in Deserto) (1990)If I thought the Lord was speaking to me I’d check myself into Bellevue, and I think you should too.
Bill Maherborn 1956Larry King Live, 11 August 2005; in response to a called-in question if he would become a believer if the Lord spoke to him
Elbert Hubbard1856–1915Credo (1901)
Florence Nightingale1820–1910Notes from Devotional Authors of the Middle Ages (1873-1874)
Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lamaborn 1935Nobel acceptance speech (1989)- Bonoborn 1960National Prayer Breakfast (2006)
Mircea Eliade1907–1986The Sacred and the Profane: The Nature of Religion (1959), trans. Willard R. Trask, Introduction