John Wesley is best known as the founder of the Methodist movement, which eventually gave birth to the Methodist Church. While many see his strengths mainly in organization and diligent ministry, he was also an accomplished preacher who drew large crowds, even when preaching in the open air. Here are twelve of my favorite quotes attributed to John Wesley.
- “Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.” - “Catch on fire with enthusiasm and people will come for miles to watch you burn.”
- “I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power. And this undoubtedly will be the case unless they hold fast both the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with which they first set out.”
- “When I have money, I get rid of it quickly, lest it find a way into my heart.”
- “Once in seven years I burn all my sermons; for it is a shame if I cannot write better sermons now than I did seven years ago.”
- “Every one, though born of God in an instant, yet undoubtedly grows by slow degrees”
- “Beware you be not swallowed up in books! An ounce of love is worth a pound of knowledge”
- “My ground is the Bible. Yea, I am a Bible-bigot. I follow it in all things, both great and small.”
- “The best of it is, God is with us.”
- “The Church recruited people who had been starched and ironed before they were washed.”
- “When I was young I was sure of everything; in a few years, having been mistaken a thousand times, I was not half so sure of most things as I was before; at present, I am hardly sure of anything but what God has revealed to me”
- “You may be as orthodox as the devil and as wicked”
* CORRECTION: I’ve since discovered that #10 is actually a quote from John Wesley LORD, not John Wesley. Here’s a replacement quote:
“The Bible knows nothing of solitary religion.”
God bless you John Wesley! I became a Methodist because of you and am happier I did every day. This list of quotes is an excellent example why. Simple, practical, grace-filled, on-fire Christianity can take on all the absurdity and pain this life has to offer!
Hi — I know “favorite quotes” is subjective, but am wondering about the omission of “The world is my parish,” and whether that was a deliberate choice or perhaps an oversight.
I like your web site (which I found via Wesley Report), and posted a link to the Wesley quotes piece on my own “Gently-Used Quotes.”
Blessings,
Pastor Dave Kepple
Saint Paris, Ohio
Dave,
It just didn’t make the cut. Good quote, but just not one of my top 12.
Howard
Good stuff. I always appreciate John Wesley.
I would like to find the quote that goes something like: I care less than a wisp or a straw for the doctrine of men, give me five God fearing men and I will shake the gates of hell.
I ran across this many years ago and can not find it now.
“Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin, and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven on Earth.”
— John Wesley
Re: #2 – “come for miles to watch you burn”
Unless you can cite the location in Wesley’s works, I would suggest that this one be removed. Several scholars say that he said nothing like this. Many others find it contrary to his character. I have not been able to find it within Wesley. If it is there, I would be delighted to know where.
Thanks for your note. I do not have an original resource for the quote, but have seen it and heard it often attributed to John Wesley.
I’m looking for a particular Wesley quote. I didn’t find it hear, but what joy to visit. Thank you. I have the “Do all the good you can…” quote on my desk. Motivates me everyday. Thanks again.