John Calvin

"Covetousness of another's goods reveals a fundamental disorder in the human heart."

"God's wrath against sin is terrible, but His mercy to the penitent is sure."

"The Christian must maintain constant vigilance against spiritual pride and self-deception."

"Those who inherit wealth without earning it often squander their blessing foolishly."

"The elect should respond to their election with gratitude and faithful obedience."

"God's law reveals our sin and drives us to seek salvation through Christ."

"Comfort in affliction comes not from circumstances but from assurance of God's love."

"The Christian must be prepared to enter into conflict, for faith is not passive but active."

"Our wisdom, in so far as it ought to be deemed true and solid wisdom, consists almost entirely of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves."

"God's providence is the determinative principle by which all things are governed."

"We are not our own; therefore, neither our reason nor our will should predominate in our deliberations and actions."

"The human heart is a perpetual factory of idols."

"True perfection is the willingness to live according to God's revealed will, not our own desires."

"The elect are such not because they first believed, but they believe because they were elected."

"Man's life is uncertain and fleeting; therefore he ought to prepare for death with sobriety."

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all right knowledge and the foundation of all virtue."

"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire—for minds must be awakened to truth."

"Discord and contention arise from ignorance of God's purposes and from pride."

"The magistrate is ordained by God to maintain justice and order among men."

"We are justified not by works, but by faith in Christ alone."

"The proper study of mankind begins with understanding our own depravity and God's grace."

"Affliction is the school in which the Lord teaches his children."

"True patience consists not in passively accepting wrongs, but in enduring them without bitterness."

"The conscience must never be violated, even at the command of authorities."

"Our salvation depends entirely upon God's election, not upon human merit or effort."

"The beauty of creation reveals the infinite wisdom and power of the Creator."

"Idleness is the devil's forge; therefore, all honest work is worship unto God."

"The family is the foundation of the church and of society itself."

"Temptation reveals what is truly in our hearts, and thus serves God's purpose."

"True liberty is found only in obedience to God's law."