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“May the gods take note,” said he, “that it is my kind heart brought me to this predicament.” The gods, of course, did no such thing.”
Tanith Lee (1947–2015) said by 2015 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It was a conspiracy hatched on the part of Christian Missionaries and their fellow travellers to demean our gods and goddesses. It has been thrashed. We have decided to honour all those who raised their voice against the insult of our gods and goddesses in the university itself on October 18. All these people will be mobilised so that they could keep a close watch over the university syllabus.”
Dinanath Batra (1930–2024) first seen 2011 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Supporting the removal of the essay Three Hundred Ramayanas from the Delhi University's syllabus, as quoted in "The rule of unreason", The Frontline (November 2011)
“Arms, and the Man I sing, who first did land, Fate-forc'd from Troy, on the Lavinian Strand; Whom angry Gods at Sea and Land engage, And cruel Juno's persecuting Rage. Much suffer'd he by War, whilst Walls he rear'd, And Trojan Gods to Latian Realms transferr'd; Whence Latins, and the Alban Princes come, And lofty Tow'rs of all-commanding Rome.”
John Ogilby (1600–1676) said by 1676 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“TUURI: Let not evermore, / let the gods celebrate / with mortal people! / The gods have long festivals, / man's life is fleeting, / swift as a wheel's turn ...”
Eino Leino (1878–1926) said by 1926 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We are not really a godless bunch. We are just the sort who ignore the gods—probably in the unconscious hope that the gods will not notice us.”
“I have no idea what forms this Paganism will have in another 30 years, I think we will be surprised. The Gods will manifest more and more--it's a matter of survival for the Earth, our Mother. That we Pagans are ever more numerous to worry over Her future is surely a sign of the Gods who act through us.”
Christopher Gérard (born 1962) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“But, damn it, you’re not gods.” “No, but have your gods ever saved you before?” “I don’t know. No, of course not.”
Walter Tevis (1928–1984) said by 1984 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Religion has had a natural origin, like coal, and rock salt, and mountains, and river valleys, and everything else. It has been made in the laboratory of human feeling and imagination. The gods did not make men; men made the gods.”
J. Howard Moore (1862–1916) first seen 1916 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Source of Religion", International Socialist Review, Vol. 16, Iss. 12, Jun. 1916
“But the return of magic and the birth of tîtáns are living proof that we are finally returning to the Orïsha the gods have always wanted for us! We’re so full of hatred and fear, we’ve forgotten what blessings these abilities are. For centuries these powers have been the source of our strife, but the gods ordained us with magic so the people of Orïsha could thrive!”
Tomi Adeyemi (born 1993) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Goblins didn’t pray. They had no use for gods, a disinterest matched only by the gods’ disdain for goblins.”
Jim C. Hines (born 1974) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Whereas you believe in no gods but Iao, he carries this skepticism to its logical conclusion and believes in no gods at all. The difference seems slight to me.”
L. Sprague de Camp (1907–2000) said by 2000 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“You may hear the priests claim that revenge belongs to the gods and should never be the property of man. Leave it to the gods to hog the best bits of life for themselves. When you have your enemies skewered, I think it would be wasteful not to stay and watch them writhe. I would even call it impolite. I value courtesy.”
Esther Friesner (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Who holds sway, the gods or man? I couldn't pray to the gods because I was going to be impure, but man, the man who slowly climbed the stairs, filled me to overflowing”
Angelina Muñiz-Huberman (born 1936) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Computer technology is an alliance of hardware and software, of physics and logic, which has taken the place of the gods who have fled far away. Zeus, as you know, was at once the mighty brightness of the Greek sky and ‘the lightning that guides everything’. Only gods and computers are in the position of predicting today whether blue skies or rainstorms will be the weather tomorrow.”
Friedrich Kittler (1943–2011) said by 2011 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The gods go where we go,the palm fronds are props. We will call our gods with whatever is native to this planet, and they will answer. We know from experience that sometimes, they answer a little too well.”
Mazi Nwonwu wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus which had defeated him, saying, “Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.” But they were the ruin of him and of all Israel.”
Ahaz (763–727 BC) said by 727 BC at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The Egyptians felt no need to establish an inventory of their gods. The efforts of the Hittites, who compiled laborious concordance lists matching their gods with those of their neighbors, must have made them smile.”
Claude Traunecker (born 1943) first seen 1992 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Les Dieux de L'egypte (Traunecker, 1992)
“According to scholars like Ara Norenzayan and Joe Henrich, belief in moralizing Big Gods has fostered pro-sociality and enabled large-scale human cooperation. That sounds beautiful and uplifting, but if you look a little closer, it turns out that it’s mostly the nasty, vengeful, punishing gods that bring pro-social benefits. The stick works better than the carrot.”
Maarten Boudry (born 1984) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“During various epochs in history, the Aghartan supermen or gods came to the surface to teach the human race and save it from wars, catastrophes and destruction. The coming of the flying saucers soon after the first atomic explosion in Hiroshima represents another such visitation, but this time the gods themselves did not appear among men, but they sent their emissaries.”
Walter Siegmeister (1903–1965) first seen 1963 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Hollow Earth (1963), p. 211
“Then addressed her lovely-haired maidservants: "Listen to me, white-armed servants, to what I shall say: it is not without the will of all the gods who dwell on Olympus that this man has come among the godlike Phaeacians; before this he looked to me like a man of mean appearance, but now he resembles the gods who live in the broad high sky.”
Anthony Verity (born 1939) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“In pride, in reasoning pride, our error lies; All quit their sphere, and rush into the skies. Pride still is aiming at the blest abodes: Men would be angels, angels would be gods. Aspiring to be gods, if angels fell, Aspiring to be angels, men rebel.”
Alexander Pope (1688–1744) said by 1744 at the latest bartlett, Public domain source
“Heartily know, When half-gods go, The gods arrive.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882) said by 1882 at the latest bartlett, Public domain source
“The natural property of dread which we have in this life by the gracious working of the Holy Ghost, the same shall be in heaven afore God, gentle, courteous, and full delectable. And thus we shall in love be homely and near to God, and we shall in dread be gentle and courteous to God: and both alike equal.”
Julian of Norwich (1342–1500) said by 1500 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The Judgment and the Reward according to the righteous scales of God... will be Light to those whose mind is purified (that is, God — seen and known) proportionate to their degree of purity, which we call the Kingdom of heaven; but to those who suffer from blindness of their ruling faculty, darkness, that is estrangement from God, proportionate to their blindness here.”
Gregory of Nazianzus (329–390) said by 390 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I would say that the desert deserves to be called a temple of our God without walls. Since it is clear that God dwells in silence, we must believe that he loves the solitary expanses of the desert. ... Although God is present everywhere, and regards the whole world as his domain, we may believe that his preferred place is the solitudes of heaven and of the desert.”
Eucherius of Lyon (380–449) said by 449 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“On the Cross we venerate God who does not just offer us sympathy, from the safe distance of heaven; but rather God who, in his love for all humanity, became a human being, Jesus, who revealed God's love in his words and actions and, most especially, in his being willing to suffer and die on a Cross for us and all humanity, so as to become our Saviour.”
Patrick Joseph McKinney (born 1954) first seen 2022 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Homily for Good Friday (15 April 2022) Diocese of Nottingham
“In God's matters all princes ought to bow their sceptres to the Son of God, and to ask counsel at his mouth, what they ought to do. David exhorteth all kings and rulers to serve God with fear and trembling. Remember, Madam, that you are a mortal creature... And although ye are a mighty prince, yet remember that He which dwelleth in heaven is mightier.”
Edmund Grindal (1519–1583) first seen 1576 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to Queen Elizabeth (20 December 1576), quoted in The Remains of Edmund Grindal, D.D. Successively Bishop of London, and Archbishop of York and Canterbury, ed. Rev. William Nicholson (1843), p. 389
“But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
Saint Stephen (1–36) said by 36 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“To God the Father, God the Son, And God the Spirit, Three in One, Be honour, praise, and glory given By all on earth, and all in heaven.”
Isaac Watts (1674–1748) said by 1748 at the latest bartlett, Public domain source
“Gay, guiltless pair, What seek ye from the fields of heaven? Ye have no need of prayer, Ye have no sins to be forgiven.”
Charles Sprague (1791–1875) said by 1875 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Upon the wings of fasting and alms holy prayer infallibly mounts up to heaven.”
Jeremy Taylor (1613–1667) first seen 1650 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Holy Living (1650), ch. 4, section 5.
“From every place below the skies The grateful song, the fervent prayer,— The incense of the heart, —may rise To heaven, and find acceptance there.”
John Pierpont (1785–1866) said by 1866 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Every Place a Temple, reported in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919). Compare: "This is that incense of the heart / Whose fragrance smells to heaven" Nathaniel Cotton, The Fireside, stanza 11.
“The sword is the key of heaven and hell; a drop of blood shed in the cause of Allah, a night spent in arms, is of more avail than two months of fasting or prayer: whosoever falls in battle, his sins are forgiven, and at the day of judgment his limbs shall be supplied by the wings of angels and cherubim.”
John Galt (novelist) first seen 1820 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Attributed to Muhammad, as quoted in The Wandering Jew (1820), p. 262
“Farewel, thou cruel world! – to morrow No more thy scorn my heart shall tear: – The grave will shield the child of sorrow, And heaven will hear the orphan's prayer.”
Matthew Lewis (writer) first seen 1819 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Orphan's Prayer", line 29; cited from Titus Strong (ed.) The Common Reader (Greenfield, Mass.: Denio & Phelps, 1819) p. 174.
“I like ejaculatory prayer; it reaches heaven before the devil can get a shot at it.”
Rowland Hill (preacher) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Jesus’ ultimate prayer for His own people is that they would be in fellowship with Him in heaven forever… Jesus wants us to be with him—and with each other—in His Father’s house.”
“Prayer ardent opens heaven.”
Edward Young (1683–1765) said by 1765 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Our vows are heard betimes! and Heaven takes care To grant, before we can conclude the prayer: Preventing angels met it half the way, And sent us back to praise, who came to pray.”
John Dryden (1631–1700) first seen 1688 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Britannia Rediviva (1688), l. 1
“(She is reciting the Lord’s prayer) Now we come to forgiveness. Don’t worry about forgiving me right now. There are more important things. For instance: keep the others safe, if they are safe. Don’t let them suffer too much. If they have to die, let it be fast. You might even provide a Heaven for them. We need You for that. Hell we can make for ourselves.”
Margaret Atwood (born 1939) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Dear Night! this world's defeat; The stop to busy fools; care's check and curb; The day of spirits; my soul's calm retreat Which none disturb! Christ's progress, and His prayer-time; The hours to which high Heaven doth chime.”
Henry Vaughan (1621–1695) said by 1695 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“There will be commotions and turbulent times, Seek no peace — it will not accrue to thee. The Ruler of Heaven knows thy prayer. From his ardent wrath thy praise has propitiated him The Sovereign King of Glory addresses me with wisdom Hast thou seen the dominus fortis? Knowest thou the profound prediction domini?”
Taliesin (518–599) said by 599 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I will offer a prayer to the Trinity, May the Eternal grant me to praise thee! In the present course, dangerous Our work; destruction is a slight impulse of wrath. They reckon of the saints a tribe, King of heaven, may I be eloquent about thee! Before the separation of my soul from my flesh.”
Taliesin (518–599) said by 599 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“113. By true prayer a monk becomes another angel, for he ardently longs to see the face of the Father in heaven.”
Evagrius Ponticus (345–399) said by 399 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“4. The state of the mind is an intelligible height resembling the colour of heaven, to which the light of the Holy Trinity comes in the time of prayer.”
Evagrius Ponticus (345–399) said by 399 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If Helenus has any skill, If any faith, and if Apollo right Inspires his prophet: one thing, goddess-born, One thing, above the rest, I will advise, and oft repeat it: with religious prayer First Juno's deity adore; to her Pay willing sacrifices, and with vows, Suppliant, overpower the mighty queen of heaven.”
Joseph Trapp (1679–1747) said by 1747 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“In the year AH 599 (AD 1202), Kutbu-d dîn proceeded to the investment Kãlinjar, on which expedition he was accompanied by the Sãhib-Kirãn, Shamsu-d dîn Altamsh… The temples were converted into mosques and abodes of goodness, and the ejaculations of bead-counters and voices of summoners to prayer ascended to high heaven, and the very name of idolatry was annihilated…”
Qutb al-Din Aibak (1150–1210) said by 1210 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The Church preaches and always asks for peace and today we live and witness the tragedy of the blood of our own people shed on Burmese soil. It is a real tragedy and for now there is no way out because dialogue is at a standstill and is rejected by both sides. We can only raise our arms to heaven to invoke the Most High Almighty saying: listen to us, save us. Our last refuge is prayer.”
Marco Tin Win (born 1960) first seen 2021 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Archbishop of Mandalay: "It is a real tragedy. We are grateful to Pope Francis for the support" (21 June 2021)
“Atossa, cursed with every granted prayer, Childless with all her children, wants an heir; To heirs unknown descends the unguarded store, Or wanders heaven-directed to the poor.”
Alexander Pope (1688–1744) said by 1744 at the latest bartlett, Public domain source
“Sanatana dharma does not ask us to believe in a God seated on a golden throne, high above the clouds. God is not a limited being. God is all pervasive, omnipotent and omniscient. God is the Principle of Life and the Light of Consciousness within us. God, who is pure Bliss, is verily our own Self.”
Mata Amritanandamayi (born 1953) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If you want to change people by talking about God, then there is only one way: instead of teaching God, you must live God. Because: “teaching” God is unthinkable in any other way than the way you would teach love or poetry. You teach love only through love, poetry only through writing poetry, faith in God only through a contagious way of trusting.”
Eugen Drewermann (born 1940) first seen 1996 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Jesus von Nazareth (1996)