Sir, a woman preaching is like a dog's walking on his hind legs. It is not done well: but you are surprised to find it done at all. (Quote by - Samuel Johnson)

Alas for the unhappy man that is called to stand in the pulpit, and not give the bread of life. (Quote by - Ralph Waldo Emerson)

Even ministers of good things are like torches, a light to others, waste and destruction to themselves. (Quote by - Richard Hooker)

For the preacher's merit or demerit, It were to be wished that the flaws were fewer In the earthen vessel, holding treasure, But the main thing is, does it hold good measure Heaven soon sets right all other matters! (Quote by - Robert Browning)

Of right and wrong he taught Truths as refined as evehr Athens heard; And (strange to tell) he practis'd what he preach'd. (Quote by - John Armstrong)

Would I describe a preacher, I would express him simple, grave, sincere; In doctrine uncorrupt; in language plain, And plain in manner; decent, solemn, chaste, And natural in gesture; much impress'd Himself, as conscious of his awful charge, And anxious mainly that the flock he feeds May feel it too; affectionate in look, And tender in address, as well becomes A messenger of grace to guilty men. (Quote by - William Cowper)

I venerate the man whose heart is warm, Whose hands are pure, whose doctrine and whose life, Coincident, exhibit lucid proof That he is honest in the sacred cause. (Quote by - William Cowper)

Sermons in stones and good in every thing. (Quote by - William Shakespeare)

I preached as never sure to preach again, And as a dying man to dying men. (Quote by - Richard Baxter)

I met a preacher there I knew, and said, Ill and overworked, how fare you in this scene? Bravely! said he; for I of late have been Much cheered with thoughts of Christ, the living bread. (Quote by - Matthew Arnold)

The priest he merry is, and blithe Three-quarters of a year, But oh! it cuts him like a scythe When tithing time draws near. (Quote by - William Cowper)

I would have every minister of the gospel address his audience with the zeal of a friend, with the generous energy of a father, and with the exuberant affection of a mother. (Quote by - Francois Fenelon)

The proud he tam'd, the penitent he cheer'd: Nor to rebuke the rich offender fear'd. His preaching much, but more his practice wrought; (A living sermon of the truths he taught:) For this by rules severe his life he squar'd: That all might see the doctrines which they heard. (Quote by - John Dryden)

He that negotiates between God and man, As God's ambassador, the grand concerns Of judgment and of mercy, should beware Of lightness in his speech. (Quote by - William Cowper)

Do as we say, and not as we do. (Quote by - Giovanni Boccaccio)

God preaches, a noted clergyman, And the sermon is never long; So instead of getting to heaven at last, I'm going all along. (Quote by - Emily Dickinson)

And pulpit, drum ecclesiastic, Was beat with fist instead of a stick. (Quote by - Samuel Butler)

Some plague the people with too long sermons; for the faculty of listening is a tender thing, and soon becomes weary and satiated. (Quote by - Martin Luther)

But in his duty prompt at every call, He watch'd and wept, he pray'd and felt for all. (Quote by - Oliver Goldsmith)

But Cristes loore, and his Apostles twelve He taughte, but first he folowed it hymselfe. (Quote by - Geoffrey Chaucer)

The things that mount the rostrum with a skip, And then skip down again, pronounce a text, Cry hem; and reading what they never wrote Just fifteen minutes, huddle up their work, And with a well-bred whisper close the scene! (Quote by - William Cowper)

The test of a preacher is that his congregation goes away saying, not What a lovely sermon, but, I will do something! (Quote by - St. Francis de Sales)

The Christian ministry is the worst of all trades, but the best of all professions. (Quote by - John Newton)

I have taught you, my dear flock, for above thirty years how to live; and I will show you in a very short time how to die. (Quote by - George Sandys)

Go forth and preach impostures to the world, But give them truth to build on. (Quote by - Dante)