WIST Quotations

Rush, Benjamin -- “Effects of Public Punishments Upon Criminals, and Upon Society” (1787)

Dave — Mon, 03 May 2021 22:14:36 +0000

The human mind seldom arrives at truth upon any subject till it has first reached the extremity of error.

Benjamin Rush (1746-1813) American physician, writer, educator, humanitarian
“Effects of Public Punishments Upon Criminals, and Upon Society” (1787)
(Source)

Rush, Benjamin -- Medical Inquiries and Observations Upon the Diseases of the Mind, 2nd ed., ch. 2 (1818)

Dave — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:57:04 +0000

Women, in consequence of the greater predisposition imparted to their bodies by menstruation, and parturition, and to their minds, by living so much alone in their families, are more predisposed to madness than men.

Benjamin Rush (1746-1813) American physician, writer, educator, humanitarian
Medical Inquiries and Observations Upon the Diseases of the Mind, 2nd ed., ch. 2 (1818)

Rush, Benjamin -- Letter to Thomas Jefferson (6 Oct 1800)

Dave — Tue, 10 May 2022 16:10:51 +0000

I agree with you likewise in your wishes to keep religion and government independent of each Other. Were it possible for St. Paul to rise from his grave at the present juncture, he would say to the Clergy who are now so active in settling the political Affairs of the World. “Cease from your political labors your kingdom is not of this World. Read my Epistles. In no part of them will you perceive me aiming to depose a pagan Emperor, or to place a Christian upon a throne. Christianity disdains to receive Support from human Governments. From this, it derives its preeminence over all the religions that ever have, or ever Shall exist in the World. Human Governments may receive Support from Christianity but it must be only from the love of justice, and peace which it is calculated to produce in the minds of men. By promoting these, and all the Other Christian Virtues by your precepts, and example, you will much sooner overthrow errors of all kind, and establish our pure and holy religion in the World, than by aiming to produce by your preaching, or pamphlets any change in the political state of mankind.”

Benjamin Rush (1746-1813) American physician, writer, educator, humanitarian
Letter to Thomas Jefferson (6 Oct 1800)
(Source)