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Priest Quotes

These priest quotes range from poetic descriptions of the role to firsthand accounts of nearly entering, and ultimately leaving, religious life.

These priest quotes explore vocation from several angles, including the personal weighing of whether to fully commit to religious life. For reflections on getting older and changing direction, our Age quotes touch on a related theme.

The priest is the personification of falsehood.

Quotes by Giuseppe Garibaldi

I learned early on that 'rabbi' means teacher, not priest.

Quotes by George Steiner

Professors of classics - not even a professor of English - professors of classics, they're something sacred; it's almost like being a priest.

Quotes by Erich Segal

Compared to what some of the young comics use for material today, I'm a priest.

Quotes by Don Rickles

The sinner will not confess, nor will the priest receive his confession, if the veil of secrecy is removed.

Quotes by DeWitt Clinton

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great many philosophers.

Quotes by Denis Diderot

Their kitchen is their shrine, the cook their priest, the table their altar, and their belly their god.

Quotes by Charles Buck

Playing the priest on 'Oz' was a fantastic experience. I was very lucky.

Quotes by B. D. Wong

There is a kind of thinking in the Church that wants to reduce the priest to a mere functionary, a managing director, where administration rather than doctrine and worship are to determine the form of the Church.

Quotes by Arthur Middleton

Times have changed since George Herbert... but the principle and spirit in which he ministered as a priest remains an inspiration and model for all priests.

Quotes by Arthur Middleton

Priesthood is forever and does not cease when a priest cannot carry out that priestly ministry.

Quotes by Arthur Middleton

I briefly thought of becoming a priest but quickly saw that would be ridiculous.

Quotes by Armando Iannucci

Find a priest who understands English and doesn't look like Rasputin.

Quotes by Aristotle Onassis

I'm unabashedly obsessed with 'The Golden Girls,' and I have been for many years. And I consider myself to be a priest in the church of 'The Golden Girls.'

Quotes by Alaska

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the poetic description of a priest in this set?
One quote describes the poet as a kind of clergy for things unseen, using the role metaphorically for someone who gives shape to unseen ideas.
Is there a firsthand account of nearly becoming a priest?
Yes, one describes being close to ordination and happily reaching the deacon stage, the step just before priesthood, before ultimately stepping back.
Do these quotes discuss celibacy?
One speaker admits they didn't want a celibate life, acknowledging they probably could have managed it but chose to leave that path instead.
Is there a historical or political view of priests here?
Yes, one claims that across many countries and eras, priests have historically stood opposed to liberty, offering a critical outside perspective.
What topic connects with priest quotes?
Our Becoming quotes pair well, since this topic is largely about the personal process of stepping toward or away from a calling.

Some speakers describe Become stages like reaching deacon as a near-final step before priesthood, while others reflect honestly on choosing not to continue down that path.