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Christian Quotes - 1 Righteousness: Perspective "So long as we do not look beyond the earth, we are quite pleased with our own righteousness, wisdom, and virtue; we address ourselves in the most flattering terms, and seem only less than demigods. But should we once begin to raise our thoughts to God, and reflect what kind of Being he is, and how absolute the perfection of that righteousness, and wisdom, and virtue to which, as a standard, we are bound to be conformed, what formerly delighted us by its false show of righteousness, will be polluted with the greatest iniquity; what strangely imposed upon us under the name of wisdom, will disgust by its extreme folly; and what presented the appearance of virtuous energy, will be condemned as the most miserable impotence." -– John Calvin in Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book I, Ch. 1, Sect. 2 Related Bible Verse: "The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power, in His justice and great righteousness" (Job 37:23, NIV84) Note: The work from which the above quote was taken (Institutes of the Christian Religion, by John Calvin) is available at the following link, free of charge: http://www.archive.org/details/instituteschris00allegoog Heavenly Riches vs. Earthly Riches "So Christ made a very fair offer to the young man in the Gospel, 'Go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven.' Here Christ offers heavenly treasures for earthly treasures, unmixed treasures for mixed treasures, perfect treasures for imperfect treasures, satisfying treasures for unsatisfying treasures, lasting treasures for fading treasures; but the young man slips his opportunity, his season, and goes away sorrowful, and we never read more of him." -– Thomas Brooks in Apples of Gold, from Works, Vol I, p. 209 Related Bible Verse: "Jesus answered, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'" (Matthew 19:21, NIV84) Note: The work from which the above quote was taken (The Complete Works of Thomas Brooks, Vol. I) is available at the following link, free of charge: The Complete Works of Thomas Brooks, Vol I Faith Before a Silent God "The Christian must trust in a withdrawing God. Let him that 'walketh in darkness, and hath no light, trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God' (Isa. 50:10). This requires a holy boldness of faith indeed, to venture into God's presence, as Esther into Ahasuerus', when no smile is to be seen on his face, no golden sceptre of the promise perceived by the soul, as held forth to embolden it to come near, then to press in with this noble resolution, 'if I perish, I perish': nay more, to trust not only in a withdrawing, but a 'killing God,' (see Job 13:15). Not when His love is hid, but when His wrath breaks forth: now for a soul to make his approaches to God by a recumbency of faith, while God seems to fire upon it, and shoot His frowns like envenomed arrows into it: this is hard work, and will try the Christian's metal to purpose." -– William Gurnall in The Christian in Complete Armour, p. 5 Related Bible Verse: "Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God." (Isaiah 50:10, NIV84) Note: The work from which the above quote was taken (The Christian in Complete Armour, by William Gurnall) is available at the following link, free of charge: The Christian in Complete Armour God Ready and Willing to Save "There is nothing wanting on God’s part for the salvation of sinners' souls: no one will ever be able to say at last that it was God's fault, if he is not saved. The Father is ready to love and receive; the Son is ready to pardon and cleanse guilt away; the Spirit is ready to sanctify and renew; angels are ready to rejoice over the returning sinner; grace is ready to assist him; the Bible is ready to instruct him; heaven is ready to be his everlasting home. One thing only is needful, and that is, the sinner must be ready and willing himself." -– J. C. Ryle in Expository Thoughts on the Gospels - St. Matthew, pp. 280- 281 Related Bible Verse: "Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 'The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.'" (Matt. 22:1-3, NIV84) Note: The work from which the above quote was taken (Expository Thoughts on the Gospels - St. Matthew, by J.C. Ryle) is available at the following link, free of charge: Expository Thoughts on the Gospels - St. Matthew God's Justice Will Be Carried Out "You think Providence does not deal righteously because the unworthy are exalted, and the worthy depressed. Do but tarry awhile, and you will have no cause to complain, or to grow weary of godliness, or to cry up a confederacy with evil men; they are never nearer their own ruin than when they come to the height of their exaltation... Who would envy those that climb up a ladder for execution?" -– Thomas Manton in Sermons on 119th Psalm, Vol. 2, pg. 543 Related Bible Verse: "Surely You place them on slippery ground; You cast them down to ruin" (Psalm 73:18, NIV84) Note: The work from which the above quote was taken (Sermons on 119th Psalm, Vol. 2, by Thomas Manton) is available at the following link, free of charge: Sermons on 119th Psalm, Vol. 2 Acknowledging Christ "There are [those] that secretly approve of religion, and in religious company will profess it, who, at other times, to be neighbour-like, are ashamed to own it; so weak are they, that they are blown over with the wind of the wicked's mouth. A broad laughter, an impious jest, a scoffing jeer out of a profane mouth, is to many an unanswerable argument against religion and seriousness; for, in the cause of religion, they are as silly as doves without heart. O that such would consider that weighty word: 'Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when He cometh in the glory of His Father with the holy angels' (Mark 8:38)." -– Thomas Boston in Human Nature in its Fourfold State, pg. 34 Related Bible Verse: "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:38, KJV) Note: The work from which the above quote was taken (Human Nature in its Fourfold State, by Thomas Boston) is available at the following link, free of charge: http://www.archive.org/details/humannatureinit01bostgoog The Work of God in Christ "It was in Christ that God tore up the foundations of the devil's empire, disarmed all the curses of the law, overthrew the false conceits of the world, knocked off the fetters of their captivity, demolished the power of death, snatched souls from the flames of hell, unbarred the gates of heaven, prepared everlasting mansions, 'laid His beams in the waters', the foundations of an happy eternity, in the misery, afflictions, death, blood of His only Son. He restored man to glory by weakness, to wisdom by foolishness; he made the law lose its sting in the sides of him whom it struck, took away our captivity by misery, flung death to the ground by death, quenched hell by its own flames, opened heaven by a cross, cemented an everlasting habitation by blood, and condemned sin by a sacrifice for it." -– Stephen Charnock in Discourses on the Knowledge of God, from Works, Vol. IV, pg. 153 Related Bible Verse: "...Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God" (I Cor. 1:24, NIV84) Note: The work from which the above quote was taken (Discourses on the Knowledge of God, by Stephen Charnock) is available at the following link, free of charge: http://www.archive.org/details/completeworksofs04char Eventual Regret of Non-Believers "Note, the day is coming, when carnal hypocrites would gladly be found in the condition of true Christians. Those who now hate the strictness of religion, will, at death and judgment, wish for the solid comforts of it. Those who care not to live the life, yet would die the death, of the righteous. The day is coming when those who now look with contempt upon humble contrite saints, would gladly get an interest in them, and would value those as their best friends and benefactors, whom now they set with the dogs of their flock" -– Matthew Henry in Commentary on the Whole Bible, Vol. V, pg. 377 (commenting on Matt. 25:8) Related Bible Verse: "The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'" (Matt. 25:8, NIV84) Note: The work from which the above quote was taken (Commentary on the Whole Bible, by Matthew Henry) is available at the following link, free of charge: http://www.studylight.org/com/mhc-com/ Abiding in the Lord "We have not come to the full of what our Lord has a right to expect of us till, having given from our stores to Him, by benefiting His poor and aiding His cause, we deliberately open the doors of our entire being to Him, and install Him in our souls as an honoured guest. We must not be satisfied with giving Him cups of cold water, or morsels of bread; but we must constrain Him, saying, 'Abide with us.'" -– C. H. Spurgeon in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Vol. 30, pg. 2 Related Bible Verse: “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7, NKJV) Abiding in the Lord “God created the earth for beasts to inhabit, the sea for fish, the air for fowls, the heavens for angels and stars, man therefore hath no place to dwell and abide in, but the Lord alone.” -– Picus Mirandula, cited by George Swinnock (1627-1673) in “The Christian Man’s Calling”, from Works, Vol I, pg. 47. Related Bible Verse: “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7, NKJV) Note: The work from which the above quote was taken (Works, vol. I, by George Swinnock) is available at the following link, free of charge (courtesy of archive.org, and the Princeton Theological Seminary): http://www.archive.org/details/worksofgeorgeswi01swin Quotes - 3 Quotes - 2 Quotes - 1
“‘Come now, let us reason together,’  says the Lord” Isaiah 1:18 Scripture Studies
Christian Quotes - 1 If you would like to be sent the Christian Quote of the Week (each week or so), via email, please send a request to ssper@scripturestudies.com The Christian View of Injustice and Suffering in the World "Even under the light of Christianity, there are, perhaps, few who have not at particular seasons felt the strife between faith in the perfect government of the world, and the various feelings excited in the mind by what they have experienced of human suffering. The pains of the innocent..., the protracted calamities which are often the lot of the righteous, and the prosperity which often crowns the designs of the wicked, have at times excited wonder, perplexity, and doubt in every thinking mind. We, as Christians, silence our doubts and confirm our faith, not only by what experience teaches of the general wisdom and benevolence of the Creator, and by the consideration that affliction comes from the same hand which is the source of all our blessings, but by an enlightened perception of the moral and religious uses of adversity; by the assured hope of that joy in a better world of those who endure to the end; and, above all, by the filial conviction which ought to become, and often is, a principle of action in all the relations of life, that He who spared not His own Son to secure our redemption from the calamities of sin, cannot possibly, after such proof of His love, mean other than well and kindly to us, no less in the bitter than the sweet which He casts into our lot." -– John Kitto, in Daily Bible Illustrations from Job and the Poetical Books (1851) Related Bible Verses: "He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all -- how will He not also graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32, NIV)"I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage -- I have conquered the world." (John 16:33, NIV) Note: The work from which the above quote was taken (Daily Bible Illustrations from Job and the Poetical Books, by John Kitto) is available as a PDF eBook at the Classic Christian Library, free of charge at: http://www.classicchristianlibrary.com/library/kitto_ john/Kitto-Daily_Readings_5.pdf Human vs. Christian View of Death "Humanly speaking, death is the last of all, and, humanly speaking, there is hope only as long as there is life. Christianly understood, however, death is by no means the last of all; in fact, it is only a minor event within that which is all, an eternal life, and, Christianly understood, there is infinitely much more hope in death than there is in life -- not only when in the merely human sense there is life, but there is life in consummate health and vitality." -– Soren Kierkegaard, in The Sickness Unto Death(1849) Related Bible Verse: "Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:16-17, NIV) Sufficiency of the Word of God "The great turn to be made in heart and life is from all other things to the Word of God. Conversion turns us to the Word of God, as our touchstone, to examine ourselves; our state, our ways, spirits, doctrines, worship, customs; as our glass, to dress by (James 1:23); as our rule to walk and work by (Gal. 6:16); as our water; to wash us (Ps. 119:9); as our fire to warm us (Luke 24:25-32); as our food to nourish us (Job 23:12); as our sword to fight with (Eph. 6:17); as our counselor, in all our doubts (Ps. 119:24); as our cordial, to comfort us; as our heritage, to enrich us." -– Philip Henry, cited by Matthew Henry in Memoir of Rev. Philip Henry, Chap. VIII (1853) Related Bible Verse: "I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. " (Psalms 119:59, KJV) Courage to Obey "The Christian of all men needs courage and resolution. Indeed there is nothing he does as a Christian, or can do, but is an act of valour: A cowardly spirit is beneath the lowest duty of a Christian, as in Joshua 1:7: 'Be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest' -- What? Stand in battle against those warlike nations? No, but 'that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee.' It requires more prowess and greatness of spirit to obey God faithfully, than to command an army of men; to be a Christian than a captain." -– William Gurnall in The Christian in Complete Armour, Chap. I (1655) Related Bible Verse: "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power" (Eph. 6:10, NIV) Note: The work from which the above quote was taken (The Christian in Complete Armour, by William Gurnall) is available at the following link, free of charge: https://archive.org/details/christianincomp00unkng oog God's Love for Us "The sovereign mercy of God, born in His own bosom, nurtured from His own heart, could alone have induced Him to look with love upon us. But what love it has been! No commonplace love, no ordinary affection. Mothers have loved us, fathers have loved us; we know the love of a fond spouse, and the love of children and of friends; but these are only like twinkling glowworm sparks, while the love of God seems to us to be the very sun, blazing in full glory in the heavens. He loved us: to what shall I liken His love? He loved us as He loved His only-begotten Son; nay, He seemed to love us even more than that, for He spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all. He loved us better than He loved himself; for, in order that we might live, He put Himself to that great loss of tearing His Only-begotten from the place of His everlasting abode in peace. Oh, wonder of wonders, that God should ever have loved us so!" -– Charles Spurgeon in "Moses' Dying Charge to Israel" (Ser. No. 2345), The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Vol. 40 (1894) Related Bible Verse: "He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all — how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?" (Rom. 8:32, NIV) Note: The work from which the above quote was taken (The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Vol. 40, by Charles Spurgeon) is available at the following link, free of charge: http://www.spurgeongems.org/chsbm40.pdf Faith in the Invisible "Heavenly things are far off from carnal sense: he that will believe no more than he sees, shall be forever blind. The best things are invisible to human eyes. God is invisible... Light is invisible... Christ is invisible... The Spirit is invisible... His power is invisible... The kingdom is invisible... The best eyes see but in a riddle: 'Now we see through a glass, darkly,' I Cor. 13:12. Here faith supplies all defects; for it is the office of faith to believe what we do not see, and it shall be the reward of faith to see what we do believe (Augustine)." -– Thomas Adams in An Exposition upon the Second Epistle General of St. Peter, pg. 105 (on II Peter 1:9) Related Bible Verse: "Then Jesus told him, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'" (John 20:29, NIV84) Note: The work from which the above quote was taken (An Exposition upon the Second Epistle General of St. Peter, by Thomas Adams) is available at the following link, free of charge: http://www.archive.org/details/expositionuponse00 adam Righteousness: Perspective "So long as we do not look beyond the earth, we are quite pleased with our own righteousness, wisdom, and virtue; we address ourselves in the most flattering terms, and seem only less than demigods. But should we once begin to raise our thoughts to God, and reflect what kind of Being he is, and how absolute the perfection of that righteousness, and wisdom, and virtue to which, as a standard, we are bound to be conformed, what formerly delighted us by its false show of righteousness, will be polluted with the greatest iniquity; what strangely imposed upon us under the name of wisdom, will disgust by its extreme folly; and what presented the appearance of virtuous energy, will be condemned as the most miserable impotence." -– John Calvin in Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book I, Ch. 1, Sect. 2 Related Bible Verse: "The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power, in His justice and great righteousness" (Job 37:23, NIV84) Note: The work from which the above quote was taken (Institutes of the Christian Religion, by John Calvin) is available at the following link, free of charge: http://www.archive.org/details/instituteschris00alle goog Heavenly Riches vs. Earthly Riches "So Christ made a very fair offer to the young man in the Gospel, 'Go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven.' Here Christ offers heavenly treasures for earthly treasures, unmixed treasures for mixed treasures, perfect treasures for imperfect treasures, satisfying treasures for unsatisfying treasures, lasting treasures for fading treasures; but the young man slips his opportunity, his season, and goes away sorrowful, and we never read more of him." -– Thomas Brooks in Apples of Gold, from Works, Vol I, p. 209 Related Bible Verse: "Jesus answered, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'" (Matthew 19:21, NIV84) Note: The work from which the above quote was taken (The Complete Works of Thomas Brooks, Vol. I) is available at the following link, free of charge: The Complete Works of Thomas Brooks, Vol I Faith Before a Silent God "The Christian must trust in a withdrawing God. Let him that 'walketh in darkness, and hath no light, trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God' (Isa. 50:10). This requires a holy boldness of faith indeed, to venture into God's presence, as Esther into Ahasuerus', when no smile is to be seen on his face, no golden sceptre of the promise perceived by the soul, as held forth to embolden it to come near, then to press in with this noble resolution, 'if I perish, I perish': nay more, to trust not only in a withdrawing, but a 'killing God,' (see Job 13:15). Not when His love is hid, but when His wrath breaks forth: now for a soul to make his approaches to God by a recumbency of faith, while God seems to fire upon it, and shoot His frowns like envenomed arrows into it: this is hard work, and will try the Christian's metal to purpose." -– William Gurnall in The Christian in Complete Armour, p. 5 Related Bible Verse: "Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God." (Isaiah 50:10, NIV84) Note: The work from which the above quote was taken (The Christian in Complete Armour, by William Gurnall) is available at the following link, free of charge: The Christian in Complete Armour God Ready and Willing to Save "There is nothing wanting on God’s part for the salvation of sinners' souls: no one will ever be able to say at last that it was God's fault, if he is not saved. The Father is ready to love and receive; the Son is ready to pardon and cleanse guilt away; the Spirit is ready to sanctify and renew; angels are ready to rejoice over the returning sinner; grace is ready to assist him; the Bible is ready to instruct him; heaven is ready to be his everlasting home. One thing only is needful, and that is, the sinner must be ready and willing himself." -– J. C. Ryle in Expository Thoughts on the Gospels - St. Matthew, pp. 280-281 Related Bible Verse: "Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 'The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.'" (Matt. 22:1-3, NIV84) Note: The work from which the above quote was taken (Expository Thoughts on the Gospels - St. Matthew, by J.C. Ryle) is available at the following link, free of charge: Expository Thoughts on the Gospels - St. Matthew God's Justice Will Be Carried Out "You think Providence does not deal righteously because the unworthy are exalted, and the worthy depressed. Do but tarry awhile, and you will have no cause to complain, or to grow weary of godliness, or to cry up a confederacy with evil men; they are never nearer their own ruin than when they come to the height of their exaltation... Who would envy those that climb up a ladder for execution?" -– Thomas Manton in Sermons on 119th Psalm, Vol. 2, pg. 543 Related Bible Verse: "Surely You place them on slippery ground; You cast them down to ruin" (Psalm 73:18, NIV84) Note: The work from which the above quote was taken (Sermons on 119th Psalm, Vol. 2, by Thomas Manton) is available at the following link, free of charge: Sermons on 119th Psalm, Vol. 2 Acknowledging Christ "There are [those] that secretly approve of religion, and in religious company will profess it, who, at other times, to be neighbour-like, are ashamed to own it; so weak are they, that they are blown over with the wind of the wicked's mouth. A broad laughter, an impious jest, a scoffing jeer out of a profane mouth, is to many an unanswerable argument against religion and seriousness; for, in the cause of religion, they are as silly as doves without heart. O that such would consider that weighty word: 'Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when He cometh in the glory of His Father with the holy angels' (Mark 8:38)." -– Thomas Boston in Human Nature in its Fourfold State, pg. 34 Related Bible Verse: "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:38, KJV) Note: The work from which the above quote was taken (Human Nature in its Fourfold State, by Thomas Boston) is available at the following link, free of charge: http://www.archive.org/details/humannatureinit01b ostgoog The Work of God in Christ "It was in Christ that God tore up the foundations of the devil's empire, disarmed all the curses of the law, overthrew the false conceits of the world, knocked off the fetters of their captivity, demolished the power of death, snatched souls from the flames of hell, unbarred the gates of heaven, prepared everlasting mansions, 'laid His beams in the waters', the foundations of an happy eternity, in the misery, afflictions, death, blood of His only Son. He restored man to glory by weakness, to wisdom by foolishness; he made the law lose its sting in the sides of him whom it struck, took away our captivity by misery, flung death to the ground by death, quenched hell by its own flames, opened heaven by a cross, cemented an everlasting habitation by blood, and condemned sin by a sacrifice for it." -– Stephen Charnock in Discourses on the Knowledge of God, from Works, Vol. IV, pg. 153 Related Bible Verse: "...Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God" (I Cor. 1:24, NIV84) Note: The work from which the above quote was taken (Discourses on the Knowledge of God, by Stephen Charnock) is available at the following link, free of charge: http://www.archive.org/details/completeworksofs0 4char Eventual Regret of Non-Believers "Note, the day is coming, when carnal hypocrites would gladly be found in the condition of true Christians. Those who now hate the strictness of religion, will, at death and judgment, wish for the solid comforts of it. Those who care not to live the life, yet would die the death, of the righteous. The day is coming when those who now look with contempt upon humble contrite saints, would gladly get an interest in them, and would value those as their best friends and benefactors, whom now they set with the dogs of their flock" -– Matthew Henry in Commentary on the Whole Bible, Vol. V, pg. 377 (commenting on Matt. 25:8) Related Bible Verse: "The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'" (Matt. 25:8, NIV84) Note: The work from which the above quote was taken (Commentary on the Whole Bible, by Matthew Henry) is available at the following link, free of charge: http://www.studylight.org/com/mhc-com/ Abiding in the Lord "We have not come to the full of what our Lord has a right to expect of us till, having given from our stores to Him, by benefiting His poor and aiding His cause, we deliberately open the doors of our entire being to Him, and install Him in our souls as an honoured guest. We must not be satisfied with giving Him cups of cold water, or morsels of bread; but we must constrain Him, saying, 'Abide with us.'" -– C. H. Spurgeon in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Vol. 30, pg. 2 Related Bible Verse: “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7, NKJV) Abiding in the Lord “God created the earth for beasts to inhabit, the sea for fish, the air for fowls, the heavens for angels and stars, man therefore hath no place to dwell and abide in, but the Lord alone.” -– Picus Mirandula, cited by George Swinnock (1627-1673) in “The Christian Man’s Calling”, from Works, Vol I, pg. 47. Related Bible Verse: “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7, NKJV) Note: The work from which the above quote was taken (Works, vol. I, by George Swinnock) is available at the following link, free of charge (courtesy of archive.org, and the Princeton Theological Seminary): http://www.archive.org/details/worksofgeorgeswi01 swin If you would like to be sent the Christian Quote of the Week (each week or so), via email, please send a request to ssper@scripturestudies.com Quotes 3 Quotes 2 Quotes 1