Dwight Lyman Moody quotes
1837 – 1899 · 19th century, United States · Evangelist, preacher, publisher and religious author
About Dwight Lyman Moody
Born in 1837 in Northfield, Massachusetts, and died in 1899 in East Northfield, Moody became a leading revivalist preacher and publisher. Known for mass meetings, missionary initiatives and accessible sermon collections, he frequently used biblical figures—especially Moses—to illustrate themes of humility, God’s preparation and practical Christian living.
Works: The Call of Moses (sermon); various sermon collections and evangelical tracts
Quotes
“Moses spent forty years thinking he was somebody; forty years learning he was nobody; and forty years discovering what God can do with a nobody.”
Source: The Call of Moses (sermon) · Check the source
Disputed attributionWhat we know
- What is documented
- The saying is widely attributed to Dwight Lyman Moody and closely related versions appear in Moody‑attributed collections and devotional materials.
- What remains uncertain
- Attribution is disputed: exact wording varies across reproductions and no primary‑source text matching this verbatim was found in the supplied results.
The line captures a core evangelical idea: God often uses people after pride is stripped away. Framing Moses’ life as three forty‑year stages, it presents a spiritual progression from self‑reliance to humility to service enabled by God.