. . . In all parts of our globe, fanatics have cut each other's throats, publicly burnt each other, committed without a scruple and even as a duty, the greatest crimes, and shed torrents of blood . . . Savage and furious nations, perpetually at war, adore, under divers names, some God, conformable to their ideas, that is to say, cruel, carnivorous, selfish, blood-thirsty. We find, in all the religions, 'a God of armies,' a 'jealous God,' an 'avenging God,' a 'destroying God,' a 'God,' who is pleased with carnage, and whom his worshippers consider it a duty to serve. Lambs, bulls, children, men, and women, are sacrificed to him. Zealous servants of this barbarous God think themselves obliged even to offer up themselves as a sacrifice to him. Madmen may everywhere be seen, who, after meditating upon their terrible God, imagine that to please him they must inflict on themselves, the most exquisite torments. The gloomy ideas formed of the deity, far from consoling them, have every where disquieted their minds, and prejudiced follies destructive to happiness.

— Paul Henri Thiry d'Holbach

Meditating on the nature and dignity of prayer can cause saying at least one thing to God: Lord, teach us to pray!

— Karl Rahner

If you don't know the effect of words, you are behind times.If you want positivity, speak positively If you don't know the effect of thoughts, you are behind times.If you want positivity, think positivelyIf you don't know the effect of meditation, you are behind times. If you desire something,listen to your God.

— Val Uchendu

Daily meditation promotes self confidence, peace of mind and strong faith in God.

— Lailah Gifty Akita

It was the study hour. Most of the monks were reading. A few were meditating, an activity that was suspiciously similar to dozing.

— Ken Follett

The more a person knows the less they talk. I shall cease speaking and endeavor to instill a large band of silence inside myself in order to forge a deeper and closer relationship with all of nature. Only when I attain absolute quietude shall I understand the supreme virtue of humanity and understand the meaning of both life and death. Only when I achieve absolute stillness shall I come to a perfect realization of the meaning of existence innate in all things.

— Kilroy J. Oldster

Before we can change the world, we have to change ourselves. We can do it by focusing, concentrating, meditating, and self-realizing.

— Debasish Mridha