Theodore Parker Quotes on Knowledge
Theodore Parker was an American Unitarian minister, Transcendentalist, and abolitionist and one of the leading public intellectuals of antebellum New England. This page collects quotes attributed to Theodore Parker on the topic of knowledge, drawn from across the philosopher's works.
Quotes
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Attributed to Theodore Parker:
“Truth is so simple that it is regarded as pretentious banality.”
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“A Lesson for the Day; or The Christianity of Christ, of the Church, and of Society" in The Dial (October 1940), p. 196.”
Every man has at times in his mind the Ideal of what he should be, but is not. This ideal may be high and complete, or it may be quite low and insufficient; yet in all men, that really seek to improve, it is better than the actual character. Perhaps no one is satisfied with himself, so that he never wishes to be wiser, better, and more holy. Man never falls so low, that he can see nothing higher t -
“Thoughts on Labour" in The Dial (April 1841).”
The world no doubt grows better; comfort is increased from age to age. What is a luxury in one generation, scarce attainable by the wealthy, becomes at last the possession of most men. Solomon with all his wealth had no carpet on his chamber-floor; no glass in his windows; no shirt to his back. But as the world goes, the increase of comforts does not fall chiefly into the hands of those who create -
“All men desire to be immortal.”
A Sermon on the Immortal Life (20 September 1846).