Controversial Sayings

16,584 sayings found

The churches in which divine mysteries were celebrated in olden times are now, to our sorrow, used as stables for the animals of these people! Holy men do not possess those cities; nay, base and bastard Turks hold sway over our brothers.

— Pope Urban II 1095
Controversial

Christian blood, redeemed by the blood of Christ, has been shed, and Christian flesh, akin to the flesh of Christ, has been subjected to unspeakable degradation and servitude.

— Pope Urban II 1095
Controversial

Whatever Christians still remain in hiding there are sought out with unheard of tortures.

— Pope Urban II 1095
Controversial

Of holy Jerusalem, brethren, we dare not speak, for we are exceedingly afraid and ashamed to speak of it. This very city, in which, as you all know, Christ Himself suffered for us, because our sins demanded it, has been reduced to the pollution of pa…

— Pope Urban II 1095
Controversial

This land which as the Scripture says 'floweth with milk and honey,' was given by God into the possession of the children of Israel. Jerusalem is the navel of the world; the land is fruitful above others, like another paradise of delights.

— Pope Urban II 1095
Controversial

Let our lives be stronger than death to fight against the enemies of the Christian people.

— Pope Urban II 1095
Controversial

Warriors who hear my voice, you who will go to war, rejoice, because you are taking up a legitimate war… Arm yourselves with the sword of the Maccabees and go to defend the house of Israel who is the daughter of the Lord of Armies.

— Pope Urban II 1095
Controversial

It is no longer a matter of avenging just the injuries made to men, but rather those made to God. It is no longer a matter of attacking a city or a castle, but of conquering the Holy Places. If you triumph, the blessings of Heaven and the kingdoms of…

— Pope Urban II 1095
Controversial

Do not cowardly stay in your homes with profane affections and sentiments. Soldiers of God, hear nothing but the laments of Sion. Break all your earthly bonds and remember what the Lord said: 'He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy …

— Pope Urban II 1095
Controversial

It is Jesus Christ Himself who leaves His Sepulcher and presents to you His Cross. It will be the sign that will unite the dispersed children of Israel. Raise it to your shoulders and place it on your chests. Let it shine on your arms and banners. Le…

— Pope Urban II 1095
Controversial

The kingdom of the Greeks is now dismembered by them and deprived of territory so vast in extent that it can not be traversed in a march of two months. On whom therefore is the labor of avenging these wrongs and of recovering this territory incumbent…

— Pope Urban II 1095
Controversial

I have looked into most philosophical systems and I have seen that none will work without God.

— James Clerk Maxwell 1870s (approximate)
Controversial

Science is incompetent to reason upon the creation of matter itself out of nothing. We have reached the utmost limit of our thinking faculties when we have admitted that because matter cannot be eternal and self-existent it must have been created.

— James Clerk Maxwell Undated, but consistent with his later writings.
Controversial

I think men of science as well as other men need to learn from Christ, and I think Christians whose minds are scientific are bound to study science that their view of the glory of God may be as extensive as their being is capable.

— James Clerk Maxwell Undated, but reflects his strong Christian faith.
Controversial

But I think that the results which each man arrives at in his attempts to harmonize his science with his Christianity ought not to be regarded as having any significance except to the man himself, and to him only for a time, and should not receive th…

— James Clerk Maxwell 1860s-1870s (approximate)
Controversial

At quite uncertain times and places, The atoms left their heavenly path, And by fortuitous embraces, Engendered all that being hath. And though they seem to cling together, And form 'associations' here, Yet, soon or late, they burst their tether, And…

— James Clerk Maxwell 1873
Controversial

I have also a paper afloat, with an electromagnetic theory of light, which, till I am convinced to the contrary, I hold to be great guns.

— James Clerk Maxwell January 5, 1865
Controversial

Thoroughly conscious ignorance is the prelude to every real advance in science.

— James Clerk Maxwell Undated, but a common philosophical stance in his writings.
Controversial

The true Logic for this world is the Calculus of Probabilities, which takes account of the magnitude of the probability.

— James Clerk Maxwell Undated, but reflects his scientific approach.
Controversial

The world may be utterly crazy, and life may be labour in vain; But I'd rather be silly than lazy, and would not quit life for its pain.

— James Clerk Maxwell Undated, from a collection of his quotes.
Controversial