What can only be taught by the rod and with blows will not lead to much good; they will not remain pious any longer than the rod is behind them.
Martin LutherTo dwell on a heath without studying its meanings was like wedding a foreigner without learning his tongue. The subtle beauties of the heath were lost to Eustacia; she only caught its vapours. An environment which would have made a contented woman a poet, a suffering woman a devotee, a pious woman a psalmist, even a giddy woman thoughtful, made a rebellious woman saturnine.
thomas hardyNo human being escapes the necessity of conceiving some good outside himself towards which his thought turns in a movement of desire, supplication, and hope . consequently, the only choice is between worshipping the true God or an idol. Every atheist is an idolater unless he is worshipping the true God in his impersonal aspect. The majority of the pious are idolaters.
Simone WeilIn the whole of Indian literature, Tulsidas is supreme....The devotion in his poetry is of the same order as of philosophy . And from the beginning to the end, not a word or an idea, can be spotted which is not perfectly neat and pious.
The most pious of people is the one who fulfills his religious precepts, and the most devout of the people is the one who avoids illegitimate acts.
As in poetry, so in prayer, the whole subject matter should be furnished by the heart, and the understanding should be allowed only to shape and arrange the effusions of the heart in the manner best adapted to answer the end designed. From the fullness of a heart overflowing with holy affections, as from a copious fountain, we should pour forth a torrent of pious, humble, and ardently affectionate feelings; while our understandings only shape the channel and teach the gushing streams of devotion where to flow, and when to stop.
edward paysonSome pious men may find this truth unorthodox and bitter: But Nature, Chance, and Time ensure survival of the fitter!
robert charles wilsonA tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects are less apprehensive of illegal treatment from a ruler they consider god-fearing and pious.
AristotleIn pious times, ere priest-craft did begin, Before polygamy was made a sin; When man, on many, multipli'd his kind, Ere one to one was cursedly confin'd: When Nature prompted, and no Law deni'd Promiscuous use of concubine and bride; Then, Israel's monarch, after Heaven's own heart, His vigorous warmth did variously impart To wives and slaves: and, wide as his command, Scatter'd his Maker's image through the land.
john dryden