Riches do not exhilarate us so much with their possession as they torment us with their loss.
The criterion of true beauty is, that it increases in examination; of false, that it lessens. There is something, therefore, in true beauty that corresponds with the right reason, and it is not merely the creature of fancy.
I refuse to admit that I am more than fifty-two, even if that does make my sons illegitima
I only do business with the people I do business with. The people I do business with find out I do business with the people I don?t do business with.... I can?t do business with you.
There is no progress whatever. Everything is just the same as it was thousands, and tens of thousands, of years ago. The outward form changes. The essence does not change.
Man has the possibility of existence after death. But possibility is one thing and the realization of the possibility is quite a different thing.
One may say that evil does not exist for subjective man at all, that there exist only different conceptions of good. Nobody ever does anything deliberately in the interests of evil, for the sake of evil. Everybody acts in the interests of good, as he understands it. But everybody understands it in a different way. Consequently men drown, slay, and kill one another in the interests of good.
The evolution of man is the evolution of his consciousness, and "consciousness" cannot evolve unconsciously. The evolution of man is the evolution of his will, and "will" cannot evolve involuntarily. The evolution of man is the evolution of his power of doing, and "doing" cannot be the result of things which "happen."
Business is, emphatically, the amusement of Americans, and, to be in keeping with their character, every thing written for their amusement should partake of the useful.
From the fact there are 400,000 species of beetles on this planet, but only 8,000 species of mammals, he concluded that the Creator, if He exists, has a special preference for beetles, and so we might be more likely to meet them than any other type of animal on a planet that would support life.
Seldom ever was any knowledge given to keep, but to impart; the grace of this rich jewel is lost in concealment.
Moderation is the center wherein all philosophies, both human and divine, meet.
A beautiful eye makes silence eloquent, a kind eye makes contradiction an assent, an enraged eye makes beauty deformed. This little member gives life to every part about us; and I believe the story of Argu simplies no more, than the eye is in every part; that is to say, every other part would be mutilated, were not its force represented more by the eye than even by itself.
Courage that grows from constitution often forsakes a man when he has occasion for it courage which arises from a sense of duty acts in a uniform manner.
A just and reasonable modesty does not only recommend eloquence, but sets off every great talent which a man can be possessed of.
The stars shall fade away, the sun himself Grow dim with age, and nature sink in years, But thou shalt flourish in immortal youth, Unhurt amidst the wars of elements, The wrecks of matter, and the crush of worlds.
To be perfectly just is an attribute of the divine nature; to be so to the utmost of our abilities, is the glory of man.
All sin tends to be addictive, and the terminal point of addiction is what is called damnation.
Among those whom I like or admire, I can find no common denominator, but among those whom I love, I can: all of them make me laugh.
Experience teaches that men are often so much governed by what they are accustomed to see and practice, that the simplest and most obvious improvements, in the most ordinary occupations, are adopted with hesitation, reluctance, and by slow gradations. Men would resist changes, so long as even a bare support could be ensured by an adherence to ancient courses, and perhaps even longer.
Power may justly be compared to a great river; while kept within its bounds it is both beautiful and useful, but when it overflows its banks, it is then too impetuous to be stemmed; it bears down all before it, and brings destruction and desolation wherever it comes.
If we are to keep our democracy, there must be one commandment: "Thou shalt not ration justice."
The excessive regard of parents for their children, and their dislike of other people's is, like class feeling, patriotism, save-your-soul-ism, and other virtues, a mean exclusiveness at bottom.
Yes; quaint and curious war is! You shoot a fellow down You'd treat if met where any bar is, Or help to half-a-crown.
Men think highly of those who rise rapidly in the world; whereas nothing rises quicker than dust, straw, and feathers.
Unless a tree has borne blossoms in spring, you will vainly look for fruit on it in autumn.
Conferences at the top level are always courteous. Name-calling is left to the foreign ministers.
Every man, either to his terror or consolation, has some sense of religion.
Treason doth never prosper: what's the reason? Why if it prosper, none dare call it treason.
It is easier to be a "humanitarian" than to render your own country its proper due; it is easier to be a "patriot" than to make your community a better place to live in; it is easier to be a "civic leader" than to treat your own family with loving understanding; for the smaller the focus of attention, the harder the task.
The universal order and the personal order are nothing but different expressions and manifestations of a common underlying principle.
Nothing has such power to broaden the mind as the ability to investigate systematically and truly all that comes under thy observation in life.
What springs from earth dissolves to earth again, and heaven-born things fly to their native seat.
Because your own strength is unequal to the task, do not assume that it is beyond the powers of man; but if anything is within the powers and province of man, believe that it is within your own compass also.
Society can overlook murder, adultery or swindling; it can never forgive the preaching of a new gosp
Society can overlook murder, adultery or swindling; it can never forgive the preaching of a new gospel.
Society can overlook murder, adultery or swindling; it never forgives preaching of a new gospel.