Fix your heart upon that which is eternal
“The silence we value is not the mere outward silence of the lips. It is a deep quietness of heart and mind, a laying aside of all preoccupation with passing things — yes, even with the workings of our own minds; a resolute fixing of the heart upon that which is unchangeable and eternal.”
— Caroline Stephen, 1890
Quaker writer and philanthropist
Reader Responses
What is your favorite Quaker quote?
Many readers responded to this query on Facebook. Here are some of the most “liked” quotes.
"What canst thou say?"
"There is one, even Christ Jesus, that can speak to thy condition"
"This I knew experimentally."
"Be still and cool in thy own mind and spirit."
George Fox
"Was thee faithful? Did thee yield?"
"Way will open."
"There is that of God in everyone." (from George Fox)
Traditional Quaker phrases
"Speak truth to power."
Bayard Rustin
"Live up to the light thou hast, and more will be granted thee."
Caroline Fox
"Think it possible that you may be mistaken."
Faith and Practice of Britain Yearly Meeting
"Our life is love, and peace, and tenderness; and bearing one with another, and forgiving one another, and not laying accusations one against another; but praying one for another, and helping one another up with a tender hand."
Isaac Penington
"Let us then try what Love will do."
"The humble, meek, merciful, just, pious and devout souls everywhere are of one religion; and when death has taken off the mask, they will know one another, though the diverse liveries they wear here make them strangers."
William Penn
This Week’s Messages
Mon Oct 05
What canst thou say?
“You will say, Christ saith this, and the apostles say this; but what canst thou say? Art thou a child of Light and hast walked in the Light, and what thou speakest is it inwardly from God?” …
Tue Oct 06
We bear our testimony against all strife
“We are a people that follow after those things that make for peace, love and unity; it is our desire that others’ feet may walk in the same, and do deny and bear our testimony against all strife, and wars, and contentions….” …
Wed Oct 07
Do not fear truth
“I believe there is something in the mind, or in the heart, that shows its approbation when we do right. I give myself this advice: Do not fear truth, let it be so contrary to inclination and feeling. Never give up the search after it: and let me take courage, and try from the bottom of my heart to do that which I believe truth dictates, if it leads me to be a Quaker or not.” …
Thu Oct 08
Angelic troublemakers
“We need, in every community, a group of angelic troublemakers. The only weapon we have is our bodies, and we need to tuck them in places so that wheels don’t turn.” …
Fri Oct 09
An amazing inner sanctuary of the soul
“Deep within us all there is an amazing inner sanctuary of the soul, a holy place, a Divine Center, a speaking Voice, to which we may continuously return. Eternity is at our hearts, pressing upon our time-torn lives, warming us with intimations of an astounding destiny, calling us home unto Itself.” …
Sat Oct 10
Lucretia Mott on what makes a Christian
“It is time that Christians were judged more by their likeness to Christ than their notions of Christ.” …
Read the source of today’s quote
