Now let us thank th’ eternal power, convinced That Heaven but tries our virtue by affliction: That oft the cloud that wraps the present hour Serves but to brighten all our future days.
JOHN BROWNNow let us thank th’ eternal power, convinced That Heaven but tries our virtue by affliction: That oft the cloud that wraps the present hour Serves but to brighten all our future days.
JOHN BROWNHad I so interfered in behalf of the rich, the powerful, the intelligent, the so-called great, or in behalf of any of their friends…every man in this court would have deemed it an act worthy of reward rather than punishment.
JOHN BROWNI am quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away but with blood. I had, as I now think vainly, flattered myself that without very much bloodshed it might be done.
JOHN BROWNThe angels are ministering spirits; they are not governing spirits.
JOHN BROWNI am gaining in health slowly, and am quite cheerful in view of my approaching end, – being fully persuaded that I am worth inconceivably more to hang than any other purpose.
JOHN BROWNThe same eye cannot both look up to heaven and down to earth.
JOHN BROWNI think every family should have a dog; it is like having a perpetual baby; it is the plaything and crony of the whole house. It keeps them all young.
JOHN BROWNBe mild with the mild, shrewd with the crafty, confiding to the honest, rough to the ruffian, and a thunderbolt to the liar. But in all this, never be unmindful of your own dignity.
JOHN BROWNThere is a shrine in the temple of age, where lie forever embalmed the memories of such as have deserved well of their country and their race.
JOHN BROWNThese men are all talk; What is needed is action – action!
JOHN BROWNI cannot remember a night so dark as to have hindered the coming day.
JOHN BROWNSymptoms are the body’s mother tongue; signs are in a foreign language.
JOHN BROWNSo far as I ever observed God’s dealings with my soul, the flights of preachers sometimes entertained me, but it was Scripture expressions which did penetrate my heart, and in a way peculiar to themselves.
JOHN BROWNHoliness does not consist in mystic speculations, enthusiastic fervours, or uncommanded austerities; it consists in thinking as God thinks, and willing as God wills.
JOHN BROWNI never wanted to fight against the Union, but could not turn my back on Virginia.
JOHN BROWNI am worth inconceivably more to hang than for any other purpose.
JOHN BROWN