John Calvin Quotes on Truth
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 truth, drawn from across the philosopher's works.
Quotes
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Attributed to John Calvin:
“The human heart is a perpetual factory of idols.”
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Attributed to John Calvin:
“Wherever we cast our eyes, all things on which they fall are works of God.”
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“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.”
Letter 130 (to the Queen of Navarre), 28 April, 1545. -
“On Martin Luther in a letter to Philipp Melanchthon , ( 28 June 1545 ), in Jules Bonnet, ed., Letters of John Calvin (1 vol. abridged), ( Banner of Truth Trust , 1980), ISBN 0-8515-1323-9 , p. 74; also in Philip Schaff , History of the Christian Chuch vol. 8, ch. 11, n. 568.”
Where there is so much division and separation as we now see, it is indeed no easy matter to still the troubled waters, and bring about composure. You will say he has a vehement disposition and ungovernable impetuosity; as if that very vehemence did not break forth with all the greater violence when all show themselves alike indulgent to him, and allow him to have his way unquestioned. If this spe -
“Nor, in truth, is it of little importance to prevent the suspicion of any difference having arisen between us from being handed down in any way to our posterity; for it is worse than absurd that parties should be found disagreeing on the very principles , after we have been compelled to make our departure from the world.”
Letter to Philip Melanchthon, 28 November 1552.