JB
Joseph Butler
46quotes
Joseph Butler: A Life of Faith, Reason, and Wisdom
Full Name and Common Aliases
Joseph Butler was born on May 18, 1692, in Wantage, Berkshire, England. He is commonly known as The Bishop of Durham.
Birth and Death Dates
May 18, 1692 - June 16, 1752
Nationality and Profession(s)
English Anglican priest, theologian, philosopher, and scholar
Early Life and Background
Butler was born into a family of modest means. His father, Thomas Butler, was a clergyman who served as a parish vicar in Wantage. Joseph's early life was marked by a strong interest in education, which led him to attend the local grammar school. He later attended Eton College and then Trinity College, Oxford, where he excelled academically.
Major Accomplishments
Butler's academic achievements earned him a fellowship at Trinity College, and he went on to become a prominent figure in the Church of England. In 1718, he was appointed as a lecturer in divinity at Trinity College, a position that allowed him to share his knowledge with students and promote his philosophical ideas. Butler's most notable achievement, however, came in 1733 when he became the Bishop of Bristol.
Notable Works or Actions
Butler is perhaps best known for his influential work "The Analogy of Religion Natural and Revealed to the Constitution and Course of Nature" (1736). This treatise presents a compelling argument for the existence of God, using analogical reasoning to demonstrate that the natural world reflects the principles of morality. He also wrote "Fifteen Sermons Preached at the Rolls Chapel" (1729), which explores themes such as morality, virtue, and the nature of God.
Impact and Legacy
Butler's contributions to philosophy, theology, and education have had a lasting impact on Western thought. His emphasis on reason and faith continues to influence Christian theology and the study of ethics. He is also recognized for his efforts to promote tolerance and understanding within the Church of England during a time of great social change.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Butler's quotes, writings, and ideas have endured due to their timeless relevance and insightful commentary on human nature. His words offer guidance on living a virtuous life, navigating faith in a rational world, and understanding the interconnectedness of morality and the natural order. As one of the most influential thinkers of his era, Butler continues to inspire scholars, theologians, and laypeople alike with his wisdom and profound insights.
Throughout his life, Joseph Butler demonstrated an unwavering commitment to reason, faith, and education. His legacy serves as a testament to the power of intellectual curiosity, spiritual reflection, and compassion in shaping human understanding and promoting positive change.
Quotes by Joseph Butler
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Though a man hath the best eyes in the world, he cannot see any way but that which he turns them.
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Compassion is a call, a demand of nature, to relieve the unhappy as hunger is a natural call for food.
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Every man hath a general desire of his own happiness; and likewise a variety of particular affections, passions, and appetites to particular external objects.
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That which is the foundation of all our hopes and of all our fears; all our hopes and fears which are of any consideration; I mean a Future Life.
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In all common ordinary cases, we see intuitively at first view what is out duty, what is the honest part. This is the ground of the observation, that the first thought is often the best. In these cases, doubt and deliberation is itself dishonesty; as it was in Balaam upon the second message.
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Men are impatient, and for precipitating things; but the Author of Nature appears deliberate throughout His operations, accomplishing His natural ends by slow, successive steps. And there is a plan of things beforehand laid out, which, from the nature of it, requires various systems of means, as well as length of time, in order to the carrying on its several parts into execution.
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It is not at all incredible, that a book which has been so long in the possession of mankind should contain many truths as yet undiscovered.
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The love of liberty that is not a real principle of dutiful behavior to authority is as hypocritical as the religion that is not productive of a good life.
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