86. What are some famous Jesus quotes about him by famous men, not known as active Christians?

Napoleon Bonaparte expressed the following view of Jesus: "I know men, and I tell you Jesus Christ was not a man. Superficial minds see a resemblance between Christ and the founders of empires and the gods of other religions.

That resemblance does not exist. There is between Christianity and other religions the distance of infinity. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne and myself founded empires.

But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon sheer force. Jesus Christ alone founded his empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men will die for him.

In every other existence but that of Christ how many imperfec­tions! From the first day to the last he is the same; majestic and simple, infinitely firm and infinitely gentle.

He proposes to our faith a series of mysteries and commands with authority that we should believe them, giving no other reason than those tremendous words: I am God." "Je­sus is the most perfect of all men that have yet appeared," said Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Thomas Carlyle wrote of him: "Jesus is our divin­est symbol. Higher has the human thought not yet reached. A symbol of quite perennial, infinite character: whose significance will ever de­mand to be anew inquired and anew made manifest."

Lord Byron paid this tribute: "If ever man was God, or God man, Jesus Christ was both."

Rousseau, greatest in his line, writes as follows: "Can it be possible that the same personage whose history the Scriptures contain should be a mere man? Where is the man, where the philosopher, who could so live and so die without weakness and without ostentation?

When Plato describes his imaginary righteous man, loaded with all the punishments of guilt, yet meriting the highest rewards of virtue, he exactly describes the character of Jesus Christ.

What an infinite disproportion between the Son of Saphronisius and the Son of Mary. Socrates dies with honor, surrounded by his disciples listening to the most tender words---the eas­iest death that one could wish to die.

Jesus dies in pain, dishonor, mockery, the object of universal cursing---the most horrible death that one could fear.

At the receipt of the cup of poison Socrates blesses him who could not give it to him without tears; Jesus, while suffering the sharpest pains, prays for his most bitter enemies.

If Socrates lived and died like a philosopher Jesus lived and died like a God."

Benjamin Dis­raeli, mighty and honest Jew, pays this tribute to our Lord: "The wildest dreams of their rabbis have been far exceeded. Has not Jesus conquered Europe and changed its name to Christendom?

All countries that refuse the cross wither and the time will come when the vast coun­tries and countless myriads of America and Australia, looking upon Europe as Europe now looks upon Greece, and wondering how so small a space could have achieved such great deeds, will find music in the songs of Zion and solace in the parables of Galilee."

Famous Quotes about God's Word. Link opens new window here at this same website.