Gerald Massey

Gerald Massey (May 29, 1828 – October 29, 1907) was an English self-taught Egyptologist and poet.

Photograph of Gerald Massey dated 1856

Quotes

• They must find it hard to take Truth for authority who have so long mistaken Authority for Truth.
  • A Retort, from Gerald Massey's Lectures c.1900; often cited as They must find it difficult, those who have taken authority as truth, rather than truth as authority.
  • Based on a quote of Lucretia Mott, "… my convictions led me to adhere to the sufficiency of the light within us, resting on truth as authority, rather than “taking authority for truth.”", quoted in "Eminent women of the age" By James Parton et. al., (S.M. Betts & Company, 1868, p375).

• In this dim world of clouding cares,
  We rarely know, till wildered eyes
  See white wings lessening up the skies,
  The angels with us unawares.
  • Babe Cristabel, reported in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919).

• There's no dearth of kindness
  In this world of ours;
  Only in our blindness
  We gather thorns for flowers.
  • There's no Dearth of Kindness, reported in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919).

• The kingliest kings are crowned with thorn.
  • The kingliest Kings, reported in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919).

• The time shall come
  When man to man shall be a friend and brother.
  • Hope on, hope ever, reported in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919).

• One sharp stern struggle and the slaves of centuries are free.
  • The Patriot, reported in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919).