John Calvin Quotes on Knowledge
John Calvin was a French Protestant theologian, pastor, and the principal architect of the Reformed branch of the Reformation. This page collects quotes attributed to John Calvin on the topic of knowledge, drawn from across the philosopher's works.
Quotes
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“True wisdom consists almost entirely of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves.”
Book 1 Chapter 1, p. 44 -
“Letter 130 (to the Queen of Navarre), 28 April, 1545.”
A dog barks and stands at bay if he sees any one assault his master. I should be indeed remiss, if, seeing the truth of God thus attacked, I should remain dumb, without giving one note of warning. -
“Introduction, Geneva Psalter 1539.”
Now among the other things proper to recreate man and give him pleasure, music is either the first or one of the principal;and we must think that it is a gift of God deputed for that purpose'. -
“Referring to (Isaiah 49:23) in a letter to William Cecil (May 1559), in Bonnet (1980), op. cit. , p. 212; also in Hastings Robinson, ed., The Zurich letters: Comprising the Correspondence of several English Bishops and others with some of the Helvetian reformers, during the early part of the reign of Queen Elizabeth , (Second Series. A.D. 1558-1602), Cambridge (England): University Press, 1845, p. 35.”
God promised by the mouth of Isaiah that queens should be the nursing mothers of the church. -
“I cannot think such language either right, or becoming, or suitable. ... To call the Virgin Mary the mother of God can only serve to confirm the ignorant in their superstitions.”
John Calvin, [ Epistle CCC to the French church in London ], 27 September 1552; translated by Jules Bonnet, p.362 -
“John Calvin, [ Epistle CCC to the French church in London ], 27 September 1552; translated by Jules Bonnet, p.362”
I cannot think such language either right, or becoming, or suitable. ... To call the Virgin Mary the mother of God can only serve to confirm the ignorant in their superstitions.