“Every man will have his own criterion in forming his judgment of others. I depend very much on the effect of affliction. I consider how a man comes out of the furnace; gold will lie for a month in the furnace without losing a grain.”

— Richard Cecil (clergyman)

Source: Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895), p. 9.

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 3, 2021. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "Every man will have his own criterion in forming his judgment of others. I depend very much on the effect of affliction…" by Richard Cecil (clergyman)?

Richard Cecil (clergyman) 29

British Evangelical Anglican priest and social reformer 1748–1810

Related quotes

“There is nothing that can hurt the soul but sin; it is not affliction that hurts it, it often makes it better, as the furnace makes gold the purer; but it is sin that damnifies.”

Thomas Watson (1616–1686) English nonconformist preacher and author

"Christ The Redeemer" in A Body of Divinity http://www.fivesolas.com/watson/redeemer.htm (1692).

“You look into the fiery furnace, see the rich man without any name.”

Bob Dylan (1941) American singer-songwriter, musician, author, and artist

Song lyrics, Infidels (1983), Jokerman

“If gold must be gold, it must pass through the furnace.”

T. B. Joshua (1963) Nigerian Christian leader

On the fact that difficulties serve a purpose - "Bewitching Favour" http://www.africanews.com/site/Bewitching_Favour/list_messages/27081 Africa News (September 22 2009)

“Perhaps the fires through which I had passed would have a purifying effect on me, just as a blast furnace burns the impurities out of steel.”

Clarence Thomas (1948) Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States

Page 279
2000s, (2008)

“There are two spiritual dangers in not owning a farm. One is the danger of supposing that breakfast comes from the grocery, and the other that heat comes from the furnace.”

Aldo Leopold book A Sand County Almanac

“February: Good Oak”, p. 6.
Source: A Sand County Almanac, 1949, "January Thaw", "February: Good Oak" & "March: The Geese Return"

“Some of His children must go into the furnace to testify that the Son of God is there with them.”

Elizabeth Prentiss (1818–1878) American musician, hymnwriter

Source: Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895), P. 568.

“The furnace of affliction produces refinement in states as well as individuals. And the new Governments we are assuming in every part will require a purification from our vices, and an augmentation of our virtues, or they will be no blessings.”

John Adams (1735–1826) 2nd President of the United States

Letter to Abigail Adams (3 July 1776)
1770s
Context: I am surprised at the suddenness as well as the greatness of this revolution... It is the will of Heaven that the two countries should be sundered forever. It may be the will of Heaven that America shall suffer calamities still more wasting, and distresses yet more dreadful. If this is to be the case it will have this good effect at least. It will inspire us with many virtues which we have not, and correct many errors, follies, and vices which threaten to disturb, dishonor, and destroy us. The furnace of affliction produces refinement in states as well as individuals. And the new Governments we are assuming in every part will require a purification from our vices, and an augmentation of our virtues, or they will be no blessings. The people will have unbounded power, and the people are extremely addicted to corruption and venality, as well as the great. But I must submit all my hopes and fears to an overruling Providence, in which, unfashionable as the faith may be, I firmly believe.