He that will not reason is a bigot, he that cannot reason is a fool, and he that dares not reason is a slave.—Sir W. Drummond.
Wise men are instructed by reason; men of less understanding, by experience; the most ignorant, by necessity; and beasts, by nature.—Cicero.
When a man has not a good reason for doing a thing, he has one good reason for letting it alone.—Walter Scott.
One can never repeat too often, that reason, as it exists in man, is only our intellectual eye, and that, like the eye, to see, it needs light,—to see clearly and far, it needs the light of Heaven.
The language of reason, unaccompanied by kindness, will often fail of making an impression; it has no effect on the understanding, because it touches not the heart. The language of kindness, unassociated with reason, will frequently be unable to persuade; because, though it may gain upon the affections, it wants that which is necessary to convince the judgment. But let reason and kindness be united in a discourse, and seldom will even pride or prejudice find it easy to resist.—Gisborne.
Good reasons must, of force, give place to better.—Shakespeare.
There is a just Latin axiom, that he who seeks a reason for everything subverts reason.—Epes Sargent.
Rebuke.—In all reprehensions, observe to express rather thy love than thy anger; and strive rather to convince than exasperate: but if the matter do require any special indignation, let it appear to be the zeal of a displeased friend, rather than the passion of a provoked enemy.—Fuller.
Reconciliation.—Wherein is it possible for us, wicked and impious creatures, to be justified, except in the only Son of God? O sweet reconciliation! O untraceable ministry! O unlooked-for blessing! that the wickedness of many should be hidden in one godly and righteous man, and the righteousness of one justify a host of sinners!—Justin Martyr.
God pardons like a mother who kisses the offence into everlasting forgetfulness.—Beecher.