Spiritual Quotes

Applying Spiritual Principles

We must put our knowledge into practice. Nothing can be accomplished in any other way. The athlete may read books and lessons on physical training all his life, but unless he begins to give out strength by actual work he will never receive any strength; he will eventually get exactly what he gives; but he will have to give it first. It is exactly the same with us; we will get exactly what we give, but we shall have to give it first. It will then return to us many fold, and the giving is simply a mental process, because thoughts are causes and conditions are effects; therefore in giving thoughts of courage, inspiration, health, or help of any kind we are setting causes in motion which will bring about their effect. —Charles Haanel, The Master Key System

We get results in exact accordance with our understanding of the law and our ability to make the proper application. We secured no results from the laws governing electricity until someone formulated the law and showed us how to apply it. —Charles Haanel, The Master Key System

Focus the thought on the fact that to have a knowledge of the creative power of thought does not mean to possess the art of thinking. Let the thought dwell on the fact that knowledge does not apply itself. That our actions are not governed by knowledge, but by custom, precedent, and habit. That the only way we can get ourselves to apply knowledge is by a determined conscious effort. Call to mind the fact that knowledge unused passes from the mind, that the value of the information is in the application of the principle. Continue this line of thought until you gain sufficient insight to formulate a definite program for applying this principle to your own particular problem. —Charles Haanel, The Master Key System

The infinity of wisdom is to follow the method whereby we may have the inspiration of the omnipotent Universal Mind on demand at any time. —Charles Haanel, The Master Key System

“Spirituality” is quite “practical,” very “practical,” intensely “practical.” It teaches that Spirit is the Real Thing, the Whole Thing, and that Matter is but plastic stuff, which Spirit is able to create, mould, manipulate, and fashion to its will. Spirituality is the most “practical” thing in the world—the only really and absolutely “practical” thing that there is! —Charles Haanel, The Master Key System

Spiritual character building is from within outward. Spiritual character lives in man; it is what God has engraved on man’s soul, ready for development through man’s spiritual efforts.... Man builds spiritual character by consciously functioning in God-Mind, where, laying hold of spiritual ideas, through Christ he realizes the Truth they contain; and as he thus weaves them into his soul consciousness they become a part of his very nature. —Charles Fillmore, Teach Us to Pray

Man builds up an enduring state of faith by repeated realizations of Truth. The illumination thus gained comes forth in man as spiritual understanding expressed in sound words. Faith draws upon substance. Dynamic, creative, transforming power is roused to spiritual action when man affirms his unity with Almightiness and his undaunted faith in its power. —Charles Fillmore, Teach Us to Pray

Every person’s problems are different, so I can only say “analyze your opportunities and conditions and study your natural abilities.” Form plans for improvement and then put them into operation.... Don’t make an indefinite plan, but a definite one, and then don’t give up until your object has been accomplished. Put these suggestions into practice with true earnestness, and you will soon note astonishing results, and your whole life will be completely changed. —Theron Q. Dumont, The Power of Concentration

The mind is governed by laws of association, such as the law that ideas which enter the mind at the same time emerge at the same time, one assisting in recalling the others.
The reason why people cannot remember what they want to is that they have not concentrated their minds sufficiently on their purpose at the moment when it was formed.
You can train yourself to remember in this way by the concentration of the attention on your purpose, in accordance with the laws of association.
When once you form this habit, the attention is easily centered and the memory easily trained. Then your memory, instead of failing you at crucial moments, becomes a valuable asset. —Theron Q. Dumont, The Power of Concentration

Form the habit of thinking of something you wish to accomplish for five minutes each day. Shut every other thought out of consciousness. Be confident that you will succeed; make up your mind that all obstacles that are in your way will be overcome and you can rise above any environment. —Theron Q. Dumont, The Power of Concentration

Remember, the best instruction can only help you to the extent to which you put it into practice. I have found it an excellent idea to read a book through first, and then reread it, and when you come to an idea that appeals to you, stop and think about it, then if applicable to you, repeat it over and over, that you will be impressed by it. In this way you can form the habit of picking out all the good things you read and these will have a wonderful influence on your character. —Theron Q. Dumont, The Power of Concentration

To adore Jesus for his good qualities is a long step towards Truth, but to practice those qualities is Truth itself; and he who fully adores the perfection of another will not rest content in his own imperfection, but will fashion his soul after the likeness of that other. Therefore thou who adorest Jesus for his divine qualities, practice those qualities Thyself, and thou too shalt be divine. —James Allen, Morning and Evening Thoughts

What we all need is a better understanding of the principles at the very foundation of Being, of the spiritual character of God, and especially of the omnipresence of the spiritual principles. Then we need to understand our relation to these spiritual principles and what we have to do to make them operative in our mind and affairs. —Charles Fillmore, Teach Us to Pray

To Timothy, Paul recommends, “Exercise thyself unto godliness.” The word “exercise” is derived from a Greek word having the root meaning of “gymnastics.” That is, train your mind to think about God as a force that can be incorporated into your mind as you incorporate strength into your body. If your mind is weak and flabby, practice thinking about God as strong and stable. This will lift your mind out of its depression and connect you with a never-failing source of stability and confidence. Thus in order of their importance and necessity take all the attributes of God, such as life, love, power, wisdom, and incorporate them into the muscles of your mind by exercise. —Charles Fillmore, Teach Us to Pray

You must know that it is no easy thing for a principle to become a man’s own, unless each day he maintain it and hear it maintained, as well as work it out in life. —The Golden Sayings of Epictetus

Never call yourself a Philosopher nor talk much among the unlearned about Principles, but do that which follows from them. Thus at a banquet, do not discuss how people ought to eat; but eat as you ought. —The Golden Sayings of Epictetus

What you give to the body, you presently lose; what you give to the soul, you keep for ever. —The Golden Sayings of Epictetus

What wouldst thou be found doing when overtaken by Death? If I might choose, I would be found doing some deed of true humanity, of wide import, beneficent and noble. But if I may not be found engaged in aught so lofty, let me hope at least for this—what none may hinder, what is surely in my power—that I may be found raising up in myself that which had fallen; learning to deal more wisely with the things of sense; working out my own tranquility, and thus rendering that which is its due to every relation of life. —The Golden Sayings of Epictetus

No man could be wise that knew excellent things without doing them. Now to do them is holiness and to do them wisdom. —Thomas Traherne, Centuries of Meditations

To read good books, to think and ponder on what you read, to cultivate every agreeable quality you observe in others, and to weed from your nature every unworthy and disagreeable trait, to study humanity with an idea of being helpful and sympathetic, all these efforts will help you to the ultimate attainment of your wishes.... If we mentally and spiritually are continually reaching to a higher plane, we are growing. —Ella Wheeler Wilcox, The Heart of the New Thought

Each one of us is a little world, whirling alone on an individual orbit, but the divine power is within us, to grow into symmetry, beauty, and perfection if only we realize it. And the happiness of the work, once we begin it, is beyond the power of description. There is no other satisfaction can compare with that of looking back across the years and finding that you have grown in self-control, in charity of judgment, in a sense of justice, in generosity, and in unselfishness. If you are conscious of this growth, let no lack of material success for one moment disturb you. That will come, enough for your need, in time. —Ella Wheeler Wilcox, The Heart of the New Thought

Evolution is always experimental. All progress is gained through mistakes and their rectification. No good comes fully fashioned, out of God’s hand, but has to be carved out through repeated experiments and repeated failures by ourselves. This is the law of individual growth.... The right to err, which means the freedom to try experiments, is the universal condition of all progress. —Mahatma Gandhi, Speeches and Writings of Mahatma Gandhi

See that your every fleeting moment is strong, pure, and purposeful; put earnestness and unselfishness into every passing task and duty; make your every thought, word, and deed sweet and true; thus learning, by practice and experience, the inestimable value of the small things of life, you will gather, little by little, abundant and enduring blessedness. —James Allen, Byways of Blessedness

Book-learning is good when its true place is understood, but is not the source of wisdom. The source of wisdom is in life itself, and is comprehended by effort, practice, and experience. Books give information but they cannot bestow knowledge; they can stimulate but cannot accomplish—you must put forth effort, and achieve for yourself. —James Allen, Byways of Blessedness

You must be the change you wish to see in the world. —Mahatma Gandhi

In truth there is no such thing in man's nature as a settled and full resolve either for good or evil, except at the very moment of execution. —Nathaniel Hawthorne, Twice-Told Tales