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Apples of Gold

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Gift edition - gold cover.

88 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1951

28 people are currently reading
215 people want to read

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Compiled By Jo Petty

2 books2 followers

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5 stars
88 (41%)
4 stars
63 (30%)
3 stars
41 (19%)
2 stars
14 (6%)
1 star
4 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Jordy Leigh.
Author 4 books27 followers
October 25, 2016
For months, Apples of Gold sat on the shelf at the head of the bed I share with my sister. I thought of it as my sister's book. I didn't know when she had gotten because I didn't care enough to ask. Finally, I picked it up and opened it. As I started reading through it, I gained an appreciation for it.

Apples of Gold is a compilation of hundreds of quotes from many authors, sorted into nine categories based on the biblical Fruit of the Spirit. It inspires readers to think deeply and seriously about the noblest qualities in life.

I didn't find Apples of Gold to be outstandingly compelling but neither do I believe that was the intended effect. There was, however, something about its simplicity that drew me in. In a world of countless voices competing to out-shout each other for attention, the simple format was refreshing. As other reviewers have noted, Jo Petty left out the names of the original authors - even those who are well-known. This might be perceived as odd or irresponsible, but I think it contributes to the simplicity.

Some of the quotes in Apples of Gold were meant to be taken seriously, while others were light-hearted or seemingly sarcastic. Some were poetic and some were felt cryptic. Not all were in line with the Bible. This kept me on guard. I was aware that not all were to be received the same. There was much to mull over and meditate on throughout the days. There was much value to glean.

All the above is to say that I found Apples of Gold to be of great spiritual and eternal value. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to be inspired or enriched by a few simple words every day.
Profile Image for Esperanza Navarro.
721 reviews1 follower
October 9, 2022
I had this book as a young teen and loved it. It’s a compilation of quotes put together in 1951. I always think of my late brother John when I think of this book. He either gave it to me or we read it together. Or both! I wanted to read it again, and surprisingly I remembered a lot of the quotes. There is a heavy Christian leaning which I no longer have an appreciation for, but it was a nice nostalgic re-read for me.
Profile Image for Heather Morrison.
71 reviews2 followers
January 13, 2018
If you searched inspirational quotes on any social media platform, this book is a collection of what you would find: about half would focus on religion, some won’t make sense, and a handful will seem like they are speaking directly to you.
Profile Image for Kirsten Simkiss.
857 reviews4 followers
February 13, 2017
Personally, I didn't care for this one. I'm not really the type to read books made up of quotes to begin with, but the fact that none of the quotes or poems were sourced as to who said them was bothersome. Always source your quotes. It's just good form. Additionally, this is a collection put together long before I was born. It mildly but consistently reinforces gender stereotypes that are no longer accepted in today's view (thank goodness) and much of those quotes fall back on the idea that god is the only way that people can access things like peace and love. I know that when this was published it likely had to have those things to be taken seriously but I truly felt that it's a book best left as an example of the times.

This is a book I would recommend to someone looking for spiritual guidance on the topics covered in the book. This is not for someone simply looking for personal inspiration or for anyone who isn't particularly religious.
703 reviews
April 16, 2016
This book will be in my library forever. I can turn to virtually any page and be uplifted by the sayings upon that page. The topics covered: love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Sound like something from the Bible? Well it is, Galatians 5:22!
Profile Image for Kris Dersch.
2,371 reviews24 followers
February 23, 2022
I was gifted this book in 1997 and finally read it. I wish I had read it sooner. I feel like I would have liked it better. I think this works better as a pre-Internet book.

It's a compilation of poems, sayings and unattributed quotations loosely organized around Galations 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law." So those were the chapters: joy, peace, patience, etc. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it was a stretch.

In the pre-Internet era I feel like I might have leafed through it on occasion to uplift myself. Now it just read like the facebook page of someone who really wants to get you through a tough day.
Profile Image for David Rees.
86 reviews
February 11, 2025
3 / 5 ⭐

Easily over 100 "nuggets of truth", or in this case, "apples of gold", which focus on the Fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Overall, I found maybe a dozen that really struck me and will make me ponder the depths of their meanings. The majority of the quotes, though, were sadly forgettable.
Profile Image for Gerald Sessions.
1,432 reviews6 followers
July 26, 2017
Compiled by jo petty. 9 chapters love ,joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness & temperance with sayings and poetry about each. Interesting
Profile Image for Flo.
14 reviews1 follower
February 20, 2021
First book of short stories and poems. Thoroughly enjoyed many. Look forward to this artist improving their skill.
Profile Image for Brenda.
775 reviews10 followers
June 3, 2021
Read this as a teenager & loved it. Many quotes.
Profile Image for literackie.istnienie.
242 reviews
November 13, 2022
Oczekiwałam, że znajdę tu coś więcej. Nie było fatalnie, ale nie będę niestety wracać myślami. Kilka fragmentów zapadło mi w pamięć.
Profile Image for Christy.
7 reviews
January 5, 2023
I love this book! I remember when my grandma gifted it to me. Just amazing
Profile Image for Grace.
136 reviews
January 28, 2025
Some quotes I had come across before but there were several that I hadn't. That was refreshing.
Profile Image for Miss Clark.
2,888 reviews223 followers
January 1, 2012
A book of sayings, proverbs, aphorisms and quotes, although none are attributed to their sources, even the ones I recognized from historical figures and various authors, which I found a bit odd.

Some highlights were:

Restraint without love is barbarity. Love without restraint is suicide.

If a single man achieves the highest kind of love, it will be sufficient to neutralize the hate of millions.

A friend is a person with whom you dare to be yourself.

Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with it.

To go without some of the things we want is indispensable to happiness.

Love is the passionate and abiding desire on the part of two or more people to produce together conditions under which each can be, and spontaneously express, his real self; to produce together an intellectual soil and an emotional climate in which each can flourish, far superior to what either could achieve alone.
Profile Image for Adele Falk.
4 reviews14 followers
May 25, 2013
My cousin Grace passed this book on to me when my dearest friend died. She had been given it after suffering a loss, with the intent that she would pass it on when needed. It is such a meaningful book with small quotes of sort to fit so many needs,emotions and just everyday happenings in life. Read a little or a lot, I highly recommend this book. Thank you Grace.
100 reviews2 followers
December 8, 2015
This is a compilation of some very beautiful quotes; I marked it down two points because the author does not cite her sources (even though some are very well known; even if they are not, I'd still like to know who said them so I could read more...). That being said, this book does contain some helpful and thought provoking quotes.
Profile Image for Emily Elisabeth.
90 reviews25 followers
March 4, 2009
you guys probably think I'm crazy, giving this book five stars, but it's amazing and one quote in particular changed my life...
Profile Image for Faith Kilgore.
162 reviews23 followers
March 17, 2011
Ive been reading this since I was a child... read it again today. Has re-read value for the spirit.
Profile Image for Kendra.
475 reviews28 followers
October 19, 2015
This belonged to my grandmother, so I love it for that reason, too!
Profile Image for Chris Via.
483 reviews2,037 followers
Read
April 8, 2023
A great trove of aphorisms, but I do wish there were more attributions (despite the compiler's apologia).
Profile Image for Yaneth .
371 reviews4 followers
January 25, 2022
lo lee para mejorar mi espanol pero no me gusto. se sentia muy aburrido leer estas citas en format de libro.
3 reviews1 follower
April 23, 2017
My grandmother had this book when I was youngster. I was too young to understand it. It got swept away in a hurricane. I happened upon it at a yard sale. It was the same book cover..gold. I enjoy quotes, especially before bed. I see some negative comments that the sources of the quotes were not posted. The book clearly states that many of them were from unknown sources. It is also stated that what is important is not who said it, but that it was said. For the one who needs to be recognized for their words seeks recognition for themselves, those who care not for recognition of either their work or or themselves have given for the sake of giving, wanting nothing in return, the purist form of giving, in my humble opinion. Some say it stereotypes women. Perhaps in someways it does but one quote is about Adam and Eve and her being made not from his head to dominate, nor from any region below to be underneath a man but from his rib, to be his equal. People read into words what they want to see sometimes. I am not excluding myself. Because women are different from men does not mean they are not equal, it simply points to the fact that our differences do not make us unequal. It can be viewed as a generalized statement. Women have been treated as unequal but we have been strong enough to fight for our equality as well. M. Monroe quoted "Women who seek to be better than men lack ambition". Why not simply concern ourselves with being the best person we can be? Regardless, I find the quotes uplifting and interesting and with loving memories of my grandmothers wisdom.
Profile Image for Amanda.
131 reviews
May 1, 2017
A classic compendium of quotes on joy, peace, love, faith, goodness, temperance, etc. It's like having little flowers on your nightstand.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

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