In my readings about Tertullian I was amazed by his wisdom (here for an old post and background; here and here for more quotes). He was one of the great apologists for Christianity in the Roman world and left an extensive body of Latin writings about Christianity. This is impressive given that in Tertullian’s day it was at best unfashionable, and at worst downright dangerous to be Christian. His sense of faith was apparently much greater than his sense of fear. He’s known for his quippy one-liners that seemed to flow from his pen in great abundance. It’s amazing that it all still seems so relevant.
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Christians are made, not born. - Apologeticum 18
We multiply whenever we are mowed down by you; the blood of Christians is seed. - Apologeticum 50
Man is one name belonging to every nation upon earth. In them all is one soul though many tongues. - De Testimonio Animae 6:3
Truth persuades by teaching, but does not teach by persuading. - Adversus Valentinianos 1:4
Truth does not blush - Adversus Valentianos 3:2
It is certain because it is impossible. De Came Christi 5:4
He who flees will fight again - De Fuga in Persecutione, 10
It is certainly no part of religion to compel religion. - Ad Scapulam 2:2
He who lives only to benefit himself confers on the world a benefit when he dies. - ?
We are equally forbidden to wish ill, to do ill, to speak ill, to think ill of all men. The thing we must not do to an emperor, we must not do to any one else. - Apologeticum 36:4
Reason without goodness is not reason, and goodness without reason is not goodness. Adversus Marcionem II 6:2
Nothing that is unjust can be good, and everything that is just is bound to be good. Adversus Marcionem 11:4
There is no public entertainment which does not inflict spiritual damage. De Spectaculis 15:3
Nothing that is evil is necessary. Adversus Marcionem IV 29:4
There is power also in brevity. Adversus Marcionem V 15:1
Daily, every moment, prayer is necessary to men. De exhortatione castitiatus 10:2
But Christians and now more than ever, pass their times not in gold but in iron. De Cultu Feminarum II 13:6
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