TRUTH · VERIFIED · EN

Phillips Brooks Quote

“The truth is, no preaching ever had any strong power that was not the preaching of doctrine. The preachers that have moved and held men have always preached doctrine. No exhortation to a good life that does not put behind it some truth as deep as eternity can seize and hold the conscience. Preach doctrine, preach all the doctrine that you know, and learn forever more and more; but preach it always, not that men may believe it, but that they may be saved by believing it.”

— Phillips Brooks

Source: Three Thousand Selected Quotations from Brilliant Writers — Wikisource

Attribution status: verified · Publication status: cleared

Explore more quotes attributed to Phillips Brooks or browse truth quotes.

If you believe this quote is incorrectly attributed or should be removed, see Copyright and quote corrections.

The truest help we can render an afflicted man is not to take his burden from him, but to call out his best strength, that he may be able to bear the burden.

— Phillips Brooks

Courage

Read quote

The absence of sentimentalism in Christ's relations with men is what makes His tenderness so exquisitely touching.

— Phillips Brooks

Wisdom

Read quote

Never be afraid to bring the transcendent mysteries of our faith, Christ's life and death and resurrection, to the help of the humblest and commonest of human wants.

— Phillips Brooks

Life

Read quote

There are two ways of defending a castle; one by shutting yourself up in it, and guarding every loop-hole; the other by making it an open centre of operations from which all the surrounding country may be subdued. Is not the last the truest safety? Jesus was never guarding Himself, but always invading the lives of others with His holiness. There never was such an open life as His; and yet the force with which His character and love flowed out upon the world kept back, more strongly than any granite wall of prudent caution could have done, the world from pressing in on Him. His life was like an open stream which keeps the sea from flowing up into it by the eager force with which it flows down into the sea. He was so anxious that the world should be saved that therein was His salvation from the world. He labored so to make the world pure that He never even had to try to be pure Himself.

— Phillips Brooks

Faith

Read quote

Be courageous. Be independent. Only remember where the true courage and independence come from.

— Phillips Brooks

Courage

Read quote

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 he was engaged.

— Phillips Brooks

Success

Read quote