Phillips BrooksThinkers

Anger is self-immolation.

The City is a place whose secrets a wary eavesdropper can always surprise through chance scraps of conversation, or by spying from a window, or by coming suddenly round corners.

Devotion is like the candle which Michael Angelo • used to take in his pasteboard cap, so as not to throw his shadow upon the work in which ht was engaged.

Genius is a stuff that, by its very intensity, decrees a special path of fire for its vivid power.

Happiness is the natural flower of duty.

Heaven is not to sweep our truths away, but only to turn them till we see their glory, to open them till we see their truth, and to unveil our eyes till for the first time we shall really see them.

Obedience completes itself in understanding.

Prayer is a wish turned heavenward.

Prayer is not conquering God’s reluctance, but taking hold of God’s willingness.

Self-confidence is either a petty pride in our own narrowness, or a realisation of our duty and privilege as one of God’s children.