Date: 1797

"Vice with them is rather an accidental and temporary, than a constitutional and habitual distemper; a noxious plant, which, though found to live and even to thrive in the human mind, is not the natural growth and production of the soil."

— Wilberforce, William (1759-1833)

Date: 1797

"We learn from the Scriptures that it is one main part of the operations of the Holy Spirit, to implant those heavenly principles in the human mind, and to cherish their growth."

— Wilberforce, William (1759-1833)

Date: 1797

"Examine carefully, whether the unchristian tempers, which you would eradicate, are not maintained in vigour by selfishness and pride; and strive to subdue them effectually, by extirpating the roots from which they derive their nutriment."

— Wilberforce, William (1759-1833)

Date: 1817

"'--O let not Sloth depress to earth / 'Those early blossoms in their birth, / 'Which to your ripening mind is given, / 'To bloom through time, then rise to heaven!"

— Combe, William (1742 -1823)

Date: 1817

With "attentive hand" the "Luxuriance" of one's nature may be pruned so that branches will bear fruit

— Combe, William (1742 -1823)

Date: 1817

"The seeds, in earliest Childhood sown / As buds, will in the Boy be known: / In Youth, as blossoms will appear, / And in full Manhood, fruitage bear."

— Combe, William (1742 -1823)