“Can I Quote You On That?”

What do you suppose that I have in common with the fellow at the left–Michel Eyquem de Montaigne ?

Guess again.

It’s not the nose!

Who’s Montaigne?

He was a 16^th century French statesman and author.  According to his profile ongoodreads.com he was “of the most influential writers of the French Renaissance. Montaigne is known for popularizing the essay as a literary genre. He became famous for his effortless ability to merge serious intellectual speculation with casual anecdotes and autobiography…”

So what do we have in common?  Just this that I know of.  He once wrote, “I quote others only in order the better to express myself.”

I like quotes.  I like to quote others when writing.  When preaching.  Sometimes just in casual conversation.  I like quoting other preachers.  Popular authors.  Classic writers.  Ancient philosophers.  And, I like quoting the Bible. A lot.  Why?

I quote other to express myself better.  And, I don’t want Mark Roberts to “write me up” for plagiarism, so I give credit to the source, instead of pretending like it originated with me!

So, let me share with you in today’s blog just a few of my favorite uninspired quotes on various subjects for your further meditation.

Attitude

“The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind.”  –William James

Bible

“A Thorough understanding of the Bible is better than a college education.”  Theodore Roosevelt

Character

“Character is never built in the classroom, it is built in the circumstances of life.”  –Rick Warren

Communication in the Home

“Communication is to love what blood is to the body.  When communication stops, love begins to die.” –Dr. Paul Faulkner

Leadership

“Leadership is influence.  That’s it.  Nothing more; nothing less.  My favorite leadership proverb is ‘He who thinketh he leadeth and hath no one following, is only taking a walk.”  –John Maxwell

The Cross

“The cross is the center of the world’s history; the incarnation of Christ and the crucifixion of our Lord are the pivot around which all the events of the ages revolve.”  –Ian MacLaren

Habits

First we form habits, then they form us. Conquer your bad habits or they will conquer you.” –Rob Gilbert

Convictions

“A belief is something you will argue about; a conviction is something you will die for.” _-Howard Hendricks

Life

“Make a living by what you get.  Make a life by what you give.”  –Ron Jensen

Faith and Fear

“Fear knocked at the door.  Faith answwered.  No one was there.”  –anon

Commitment

“When you’re interested  in doing something, you do it only when it’s convenient.  When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.”–Ken Blanchard

Discipleship

“Discipleship is an ongoing process, not a quick fix.” –Ken Hemphill 

Christianity

Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried.  –G.K. Chesterton 

Heaven

“If you miss heaven, you’ve just missed all there is.”  –Dee Bowman.

What is particularly interesting about these and so many other great quotes is that they have their basis in the Bible.  Either by precept or by principle the wisdom of men on what works, on how to really live a good and productive life is rooted in God’s Word.  So, if you only have time to read one book, just read the Bible!  It is the inspired Word of God.  And, you can quote me on that!