“Many of the products which create a modern standard of living are only the physical incorporations of ideas- not only the ideas of an Edison or a Ford but the ideas of innumerable anonymous people who figure out the design of supermarkets, the location of gasoline stations, and the million mundane things on which our material well-being depends. Societies which have more people carrying out physical acts and fewer people supplying ideas do not have higher standards of living. Quite the contrary.” PeopleWellsIdeasMillionsModernFiguresDesignMaterialsProductsDependsHigherStandardsContraryWell BeingStationsFewerLocationMundaneSupermarketsStandards Of LivingGasolineHigher StandardsIncorporation Author:Thomas Sowell
“Contrary to general belief, humans imitate apes more than the reverse. The sight of monkeys or apes induces an irresistible urge in people to jump up and down, exaggeratedly scratch themselves and holler in a way that must make the primates wonder how this otherwise so intelligent species has come to depend on such inferior means of communication.” PeopleWayHumansMeanBeliefWonderCommunicationDependsSightIntelligentSpeciesContraryUrgesReverseInferiorsMonkeysScratchesUp And DownApesIrresistiblePrimatesMeans Of Communication Author:Frans de Waal
“Jefferson refused to pin his hopes on the occasional success of honest and unambitious men; on the contrary, the great danger was that philosophers would be lulled into complacence by the accidental rise of a Franklin or a Washington. Any government which made the welfare of men depend on the character of their governors was an illusion.” MenMadeCharacterGovernmentWould BeHonestDangerDependsIllusionPhilosopherContraryWelfareGovernorsPinsOccasionalFranklin Book:The Lost World of Thomas Jefferson Source: The Lost World of Thomas Jefferson
“On the contrary, therefore, Christ declares that the doctrine of the Gospel, though it is preached to all without exception, cannot be embraced by all, but that a new understanding and a new perception are requisite; and, therefore, that faith does not depend on the will of men, but that it is God who gives it.” MenGivingDoeUnderstandingChristDependsPerceptionContraryDoctrineException Book:John Calvin's Commentaries On The Gospel Of John Vol. 1 (Annotated Edition) Source: John Calvin's Commentaries On The Gospel Of John Vol. 1 (Annotated Edition)
“If we want to read and to pray the prayers of the Bible and especially the Psalms, therefore, we must not ask first what they have to do with us, but what they have to do with Jesus Christ...It does not depend, therefore, on whether the Psalms express adequately that which we feel at a given moment in our heart. If we are to pray aright, perhaps it is quite necessary that we pray contrary to our own heart. Not what we want to pray is important, but what God wants us to pray.” IfsWantFeelsFirstsHeartDoeImportantMomentsAsksJesusGivenChristPrayerDependsPrayingJesus ChristContraryWant UPsalms Author:Dietrich Bonhoeffer
“Whilst a man is persuaded that he has it in his power to contribute anything, be it ever so little, to his salvation, he remains in carnal self-confidence; he is not a self-despairer, and therefore is not duly humbled before God, he believes he may lend a helping hand in his salvation, but on the contrary, whoever is truly convinced that the whole work depends singly on the will of God, such a person renounces his own will and strength; he waits and prays for the operation of God, nor waits and prays in vain” MenBelieveMayLittlesPersonsSelfWholeHelpingHandsWaitingDependsPrayingRemainsSalvationConvincedSelf ConfidenceContraryGods WillVainOperationsRenounceHelping Hand Author:Martin Luther
“Whether this will prove a blessing or a curse, will depend upon the use our people will make of the blessings which a gracious God hath bestowed on us. If they are wise, they will be great and happy. If they are of a contrary character, they will be miserable. Righteousness alone can exalt them as a nation. Reader! Whoever thou art, remember this: and in thy sphere practice virtue thyself, an encourage it in others.” PeopleIfsArtCharacterUseRememberNationsPracticeVirtueWiseDependsReaderBlessingProveContraryMiserableCurseRighteousnessSpheresThyselfGracious Author:Patrick Henry