“There are many persons of combative tendencies, who read for ammunition, and dig out of the Bible iron for balls.”

— Henry Ward Beecher

Source: Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895), p. 38
Context: There are many persons of combative tendencies, who read for ammunition, and dig out of the Bible iron for balls. They read, and they find nitre and charcoal and sulphur for powder. They read, and they find cannon. They read, and they make portholes and embrasures. And if a man does not believe as they do, they look upon him as an enemy, and let fly the Bible at him to demolish him. So men turn the word of God into a vast arsenal, filled with all manner of weapons, offensive and defensive.

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 "There are many persons of combative tendencies, who read for ammunition, and dig out of the Bible iron for balls." by Henry Ward Beecher?

Henry Ward Beecher 75

American clergyman and activist 1813–1887

Related quotes

“the Bible is only as good and decent as the person reading it.”

Dan Savage (1964) American sex advice columnist and gay rights campaigner

Source: American Savage: Insights, Slights, and Fights on Faith, Sex, Love, and Politics

“I like to iron. Ironing is comfort. It's control. I'm a nutty person who likes to make sure everything is in its place. I am a big ball of high energy and organization and structure. Don't forget, I'm half-German.”

Sandra Bullock (1964) American actress and producer

Parade interview (2009)

“The person who doesn't scatter the morning dew will not comb grey hairs”

Hunter S. Thompson (1937–2005) American journalist and author

“Personally, I don’t believe in anything more supernatural than what you read about in the Bible, and I only believe that one day out of seven.”

Robert Charles Wilson book The Chronoliths

Source: The Chronoliths (2001), Chapter 8 (p. 112)

“Surprising what you can dig out of books if you read long enough, isn't it?”

Robert Jordan (1948–2007) American writer

Rand al'Thor
(15 September 1992)

“If a person who indulges in gluttony is a glutton, and a person who commits a felony is a felon, then God is an iron”

Spider Robinson (1948) Canadian author

God Is An Iron (1977)
Context: "God is an iron," I said. "Did you know that?"
I turned to look at her and she was staring. She laughed experimentally, stopped when I failed to join in. "And I'm a pair of pants with a hole scorched through the ass?"
"If a person who indulges in gluttony is a glutton, and a person who commits a felony is a felon, then God is an iron. Or else He's the dumbest designer that ever lived."