45 Famous Quotes by John Bunyan (Author of The Pilgrim's Progress)

Last updated on February 4, 2023

John Bunyan (born November 1628, Elstow, Bedfordshire, England – died 31 August 1688, London) was an English preacher and writer. He wrote The Pilgrim's Progress, arguably the most famous published Christian allegory. In addition to The Pilgrim's Progress, Bunyan wrote nearly sixty titles, many of them expanded sermons.

You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you. ― John Bunyan — You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.

If my life is fruitless, it doesn't matter who praises me, and if my life is fruitful, it doesn't matter who criticizes me. ― John Bunyan — If my life is fruitless, it doesn't matter who praises me, and if my life is fruitful, it doesn't matter who criticizes me.

You can do more than pray after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed. Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge to Satan. ― John Bunyan — You can do more than pray after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed. Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge to Satan.

In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart. ― John Bunyan — In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart.

What God says is best, is best, though all the men in the world are against it. ― John Bunyan — What God says is best, is best, though all the men in the world are against it.

Pray and read, read and pray; for a little from God is better than a great deal from men. ― John Bunyan — Pray and read, read and pray; for a little from God is better than a great deal from men.

The reason why the Christians in this day are at such a loss as to some things is that they are contented with what comes from man's mouth, without searching and kneeling before God to know of Him the truth of things. ― John Bunyan — The reason why the Christians in this day are at such a loss as to some things is that they are contented with what comes from man's mouth, without searching and kneeling before God to know of Him the truth of things.

Prayer will make a man cease from sin, or sin will entice a man to cease from prayer. ― John Bunyan — Prayer will make a man cease from sin, or sin will entice a man to cease from prayer.

The difference between true and false repentance lies in this: the man who truly repents cries out against his heart; but the other, as Eve, against the serpent, or something else. ― John Bunyan — The difference between true and false repentance lies in this: the man who truly repents cries out against his heart; but the other, as Eve, against the serpent, or something else.

This hill though high I covent ascend; The difficulty will not me offend; For I perceive the way of life lies here. Come, pluck up, heart; let’s neither faint nor fear. ― John Bunyan — This hill though high I covent ascend; The difficulty will not me offend; For I perceive the way of life lies here. Come, pluck up, heart; let’s neither faint nor fear.

If people really see that Christ has removed the fear of punishment from them by taking it into Himself, they won't do whatever they want, they'll do whatever He wants. ― John Bunyan — If people really see that Christ has removed the fear of punishment from them by taking it into Himself, they won't do whatever they want, they'll do whatever He wants.

He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the day. ― John Bunyan — He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the day.

No man, without trials and temptations, can attain a true understanding of the Holy Scriptures. ― John Bunyan — No man, without trials and temptations, can attain a true understanding of the Holy Scriptures.

The truths that I know best I have learned on my knees. I never know a thing well, till it is burned into my heart by prayer. ― John Bunyan — The truths that I know best I have learned on my knees. I never know a thing well, till it is burned into my heart by prayer.

I have often thought that the best Christians are found in the worst of times. ― John Bunyan — I have often thought that the best Christians are found in the worst of times.

Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Spirit, for such things as God has promised. ― John Bunyan — Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Spirit, for such things as God has promised.

Whatever contradicts the Word of God should be instantly resisted as diabolical. ― John Bunyan — Whatever contradicts the Word of God should be instantly resisted as diabolical.

This hill, though high, I covet to ascend; The difficulty will not me offend. For I perceive the way to life lies here. Come, pluck up, heart; let’s neither faint nor fear. Better, though difficult, the right way to go, Than wrong, though easy, where the end is woe.
John Bunyan

I saw, moreover, that it was not my good frame of heart that made my righteousness better, nor my bad frame that made my righteousness worse; for my righteousness was Jesus Christ himself, the same yesterday and today and forever.
John Bunyan

Conversion is not the smooth, easy-going process some men seem to think... It is wounding work, this breaking of the hearts, but without wounding there is no saving... Where there is grafting there will always be a cutting, the graft must be let in with a wound; to stick it onto the outside or to tie it on with a string would be of no use. Heart must be set to heart and back to back or there will be no sap from root to branch. And this, I say, must be done by a wound, by a cut.
John Bunyan

A man there was, though some did count him mad, the more he cast away the more he had. ― John Bunyan — A man there was, though some did count him mad, the more he cast away the more he had.

One leak will sink a ship, and one sin will destroy a sinner. ― John Bunyan — One leak will sink a ship, and one sin will destroy a sinner.

Dark clouds bring waters, when the bright bring none. ― John Bunyan — Dark clouds bring waters, when the bright bring none.

It is said that in some countries trees will grow, but will bear no fruit because there is no winter there. ― John Bunyan — It is said that in some countries trees will grow, but will bear no fruit because there is no winter there.

In times of affliction we commonly meet with the sweetest experiences of the love of God. ― John Bunyan — In times of affliction we commonly meet with the sweetest experiences of the love of God.

The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, and they that lack the beginning have neither middle nor end. ― John Bunyan — The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, and they that lack the beginning have neither middle nor end.

Hope is never ill when faith is well. ― John Bunyan — Hope is never ill when faith is well.

I have given Him my faith, and sworn my allegiance to Him; how, then, can I go back from this, and not be hanged as a traitor? ― John Bunyan — I have given Him my faith, and sworn my allegiance to Him; how, then, can I go back from this, and not be hanged as a traitor?

I would say to my soul, O my soul, this is not the place of despair; this is not the time to despair in. As long as mine eyes can find a promise in the Bible, as long as there is a moment left me of breath or life in this world, so long will I wait or look for mercy, so long will I fight against unbelief and despair.
John Bunyan

To lay hold of and receive the gospel by a true and saving faith is an act of the soul that has been made a new creature, which is the workmanship of God… Wherefore whoever receiveth the grace that is tendered in the gospel, they must be quickened by the power of God, their eyes must be opened, their understandings illuminated, their ears unstopped, their hearts circumcised, their wills also rectified, and the Son of God revealed in them.
John Bunyan

It is profitable for Christians to be often calling to mind the very beginnings of grace with their souls. ― John Bunyan — It is profitable for Christians to be often calling to mind the very beginnings of grace with their souls.

I will stay in prison till the moss grows on my eye lids rather than disobey God. ― John Bunyan — I will stay in prison till the moss grows on my eye lids rather than disobey God.

He that is down needs fear no fall. He that is low, no pride; He that is humble, ever shall have God to be his Guide. ― John Bunyan — He that is down needs fear no fall. He that is low, no pride; He that is humble, ever shall have God to be his Guide.

Old truths are always new to us, if they come with the smell of heaven upon them. ― John Bunyan — Old truths are always new to us, if they come with the smell of heaven upon them.

A tender heart is a wakeful, watchful heart. It watches against sin in the soul, sin in the family, sin in the calling, sin in spiritual duties and performances. ― John Bunyan — A tender heart is a wakeful, watchful heart. It watches against sin in the soul, sin in the family, sin in the calling, sin in spiritual duties and performances.

It is possible to learn all about the mysteries of the Bible and never be affected by it in one’s soul. Great knowledge is not enough. ― John Bunyan — It is possible to learn all about the mysteries of the Bible and never be affected by it in one’s soul. Great knowledge is not enough.

An idle man’s brain is the devil’s workshop. ― John Bunyan — An idle man’s brain is the devil’s workshop.

Run when I can, walk when I cannot run, and creep when I cannot walk. ― John Bunyan — Run when I can, walk when I cannot run, and creep when I cannot walk.

He that lives in sin, and looks for happiness hereafter, is like him that soweth cockle and thinks to fill his barn with wheat or barley. ― John Bunyan — He that lives in sin, and looks for happiness hereafter, is like him that soweth cockle and thinks to fill his barn with wheat or barley.

To go back is nothing but death; to go forward is fear of death, and life everlasting beyond it. I will yet go forward. ― John Bunyan — To go back is nothing but death; to go forward is fear of death, and life everlasting beyond it. I will yet go forward.

Is there anything more worthy of our tongues and mouths than to speak of the things of God and Heaven? ― John Bunyan — Is there anything more worthy of our tongues and mouths than to speak of the things of God and Heaven?

Man indeed is the most noble, by creation, of all the creatures in the visible World; but by sin he has made himself the most ignoble. ― John Bunyan — Man indeed is the most noble, by creation, of all the creatures in the visible World; but by sin he has made himself the most ignoble.

Fear, lest, by forgetting what you are by nature, you also forget the need that you have of continual pardon, support, and supplies from the Spirit of grace, and so grow proud of your own abilities, or of what you have received from God.
John Bunyan

Not that the heart can be good without knowledge, for without knowledge the heart is empty. But there are two kinds of knowledge: the first is alone in its bare speculation of things, and the second is accompanied by the grace of faith and love, which causes a man to do the will of God from the heart.
John Bunyan

Christian, let God's distinguishing love to you be a motive to you to fear Him greatly. He has put His fear in your heart, and may not have given that blessing to your neighbor, perhaps not to your husband, your wife, your child, or your parent. Oh, what an obligation should this thought lay upon your heart to greatly fear the Lord! Remember also that this fear of the Lord is His treasure, a choice jewel, given only to favorites, and to those who are greatly beloved.
John Bunyan