Introduction:
James Freeman Clarke(1810 - 1888) is a well-known American essayist. He's published several books about Christianity. He was a well-known public speaker and advocate of human rights.
One of his most famous quotes is "The bravest and most heroic souls are usually the most loving." He believed in the virtue of the brotherhood of man and in the power of love to heal the world.
The truth is that self-development and love is an important part of being brave. Bravery is not just about being confident. So what it takes to be a brave man? It's about being vulnerable, opening yourself up for potential failure, or expressing that you have feelings that aren't always easy to share. Brave people are also the most grateful. A good example of such a brave and courageous man is James Freeman Clarke.
Read this top 10 courageous quotes by James Freeman Clarke.
1. "All the strength and force of man comes from his faith in things unseen. He who believes is strong; he who doubts is weak. Strong convictions precede great actions." - James Freeman Clarke
2. "Conscience is the root of all true courage; if a man would be brave let him obey his conscience." - James Freeman Clarke
3. "Every man, every woman, every child has some talent, some power, some opportunity of getting good and doing good. Each day offers some occasion for using this talent. As we use it, it gradually increases, improves, and becomes native to the character. As we neglect it, it dwindles, withers, and disappears. This is the stern but benign law by which we live." - James Freeman Clarke
4. "All boys wish to be manly; but they often try to become so by copying the vices of men rather than their virtues. They see men drinking, smoking, swearing; so these poor little fellows sedulously imitate such bad habits, thinking they are making themselves more like men. They mistake rudeness for strength, disrespect to parents for independence. They read wretched stories about boy brigands and boy detectives, and fancy themselves heroes when they break the laws, and become troublesome and mischievous. Out of such false influences the criminal classes are recruited. Many a little boy who only wishes to be manly, becomes corrupted and debased by the bad examples around him and the bad literature which he reads. The cure for this is to give him good books, show him truly noble examples from life and history, and make him understand how infinitely above this mock-manliness is the true courage which ennobles human nature." - James Freeman Clarke (Collected from goodreads)
5. "Never hurry. Take plenty of exercise. Always be cheerful. Take all the sleep you need. You may expect to be well." - James Freeman Clarke
6. "The bravest and most heroic souls are usually the most loving." - James Freeman Clarke
7. "Seek to do good, and you will find that happiness will run after you." - James Freeman Clarke
8. "It may make a difference to all eternity whether we do right or wrong today." - James Freeman Clarke
9. "We are either progressing or retrograding all the while, There is no such thing as remaining stationary in this life." - James Freeman Clarke
10. "Progress, in the sense of acquisition, is something. But progress in the sense of being, is a great deal more. To grow higher, deeper, wider, as the years go on… to conquer difficulties and acquire more and more power... To feel all one’s faculties unfolding, and truth descending into the soul, this makes life’s worth living." - James Freeman Clarke
Conclusion:
Some people's lives seem meaningless and never-ending; they never seem to make any progress. But people like James Freeman Clarke, who didn't settle for anything less than what they wanted, were the most courageous and heroic in their own way. To know more about him read his autobiography (for free) from internet archive.
What is your opinion or thoughts upon reading these James Freeman Clarke quotes? Tell us in the comment!