Ralph Venning Quotes

The Hebrews have a saying that God is more delighted in adverbs than in nouns; it is not so much the matter that is done, but the matter how it is done, that God minds. Not how much, but how well! It is the well-doing that meets with a well-done. Let us therefore serve God, not nominally or verbally, but adverbially.

As a Christian should do no injuries to others, so he should forgive the injuries that others do to him. It is to be like God, who is a good-giving God, and a sin-forgiving God.

I have read of a glass kept in an idol temple in Smyrna that would make beautiful things appear deformed, and deformed things appear beautiful; carnal sense is such a glass to wicked men, it makes heavenly things which are beautiful to appear deformed, and earthly things which are deformed to appear beautiful.

To maintain an opinion because it is thine, and not because it is true, is to prefer thyself above the truth.

Sin promises like a God but pays like a Devil

Virtue and vice are both prophets; the first, of certain good; the second, of pain or else of penitence.

Take notice not only of the mercies of God, but of God in the mercies. Mercies are never so savoury as when they savour a Saviour.

Seek that your last days may be your best days, and so you may die in a good old age, which may be best done when you die good in old age, and are such as St. Paul the aged who had finished his course.

All the beauty of the world, 'tis but skin deep.

That is good which doth good.