Persecution Sayings and Quotes

Below you will find our collection of inspirational, wise, and humorous old persecution quotes, persecution sayings, and persecution proverbs, collected over the years from a variety of sources.

Cruel persecutions and intolerance are not accidents, but grow out of the very essence of religion, namely, its absolute claims. Morris Raphael Cohen
All persecution is a sign of fear; for if we did not fear the power of an opinion different from our own, we should not mind others holding it. Phyllis Bottome
Persecution for the expression of opinions seems to be perfectly logical. If you have no doubt of your premises or your power and want a certain result with all your heart you naturally express your wishes in law and sweep away all opposition. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
Persecution is an enemy the Church has met and mastered many times. Indifference could prove to be a far more dangerous foe.  Brother Andrew
The religious persecution of the ages has been done under what was claimed to be the command of God. Susan B. Anthony
Persecution is the heirloom of the church, and the ensign of the elect. Charles Spurgeon
Wherever you see persecution, there is more than a probability that truth lies on the persecuted side. Hugh Latimer
Persecution is the first law of society because it is always easier to suppress criticism than to meet it. Howard Mumford Jones
Persecution often does in this life what the last day will do completely--separate the wheat from the tares. Lord Milner
Persecution on racial and religious grounds has absolutely no place in a nation given over to liberty. Nicholas Murray Butler
Persecution, whenever it occurs, establishes only the power and cunning of the persecutor, not the truth and worth of his belief. H. M. Kallen
Persecution, religious pride, the love of contradiction, are the food of what the world commonly calls religion. Michel Guillaume Jean de Crèvecœur
Persecution is not wrong because it is cruel; but it is cruel because it is wrong. Richard Whately
Persecution is not an original feature in any religion; but it is always the strongly marked feature of all religions established by law. Thomas Paine
Persecution for opinion is the master vice of society. Frances Wright
Persecution always acts as a jell for members of cults; it proves to them, in the absence of history, liturgy, tradition, and doctrine, that they are God's chosen. Barbara Grizzuti Harrison
Religious persecution may shield itself under the guise of a mistaken and over-zealous piety. Edmund Burke
Persecution comes from people who are prejudiced. Harper Lee
Persecution was at least a sign of personal interest. Tolerance is composed of nine parts of apathy to one of brotherly love.  Frank Moore Colby
Persecution is the compliment paid by a threatened lie to a conquering truth. Chapman Cohen
The persecution of the innovator and protestant has always been inspired by fear on the part of constituted authority of having its infallibility questioned and its power undermined. Emma Goldman
Persecution readily knits friendship between its victims. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Persecution is disobeying the most solemn injunction of Christianity, under the sham plea of upholding it. Paul Chatfield
The persecution of genius fosters its influence. Tacitus
The spirit of religious persecution is not the special failing of any particular faith, but springs eternal in the human breast. Dion Fortune
Persecution is a tribute the great must always pay for preeminence. Oliver Goldsmith
The history of persecution is a history of endeavor to cheat nature, to make water run up hill, to twist a rope of sand. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Persecution shows who is a hireling, and who a true pastor. Bernard of Clairvaux
Persecution is a bad and indirect way to plan religion. Thomas Browne
Suspicion and persecution are weeds of the same dunghill, and flourish best together. Thomas Paine