Julia Ward Howe Quotes

Julia Ward Howe is best known for writing the patriotic words to the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Less known is Julia Ward Howe's work for women's rights, peace, and liberal religion.

Selected Julia Ward Howe Quotations

• The strokes of the pen need deliberation as much as the sword needs swiftness.

• Every life has its actual blanks, which the ideal must fill up, or which else remain bare and profitless forever.

• I am confirmed in my division of human energies. Ambitious people climb, but faithful people build.

• When I see the elaborate study and ingenuity displayed by women in the pursuit of trifles, I feel no doubt of their capacity for the most herculean undertakings.

• He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored... [more]

• 'Twas red with the blood of freemen and white with the fear of the foe;
And the stars that fit in their courses 'gainst tyrants its symbols know. [from "The Flag"]

• Arise then, women of this day! ... [more]

• The sword of murder is not the balance of justice. Blood does not wipe out dishonor nor violence indicate possession. [more]

• I think nothing is religion which puts one individual absolutely above others, and surely nothing is religion which puts one sex above another.... [more]

• Any religion which sacrifices women to the brutality of men is no religion.... [more]

• Marriage, like death, is a debt we owe to nature.

Related Resources for Julia Ward Howe

• Julia Ward Howe Profile
• Julia Ward Howe Biography
• Julia Ward Howe Links

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About These Quotes

Quote collection assembled by Jone Johnson Lewis. Each quotation page in this collection and the entire collection © Jone Johnson Lewis 1997-2005. This is an informal collection assembled over many years. I regret that I am not be able to provide the original source if it is not listed with the quote.

Citation information:
Jone Johnson Lewis. "Julia Ward Howe Quotes." About Women's History. URL: http://womenshistory.about.com/od/quotes/a/julia_ward_howe.htm . Date accessed: (today). (More on how to cite online sources including this page)