The good opinion of our fellow men is the strongest, though not the purest motive to virtue. — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share Image
The true motives of our actions, like the real pipes of an organ, are usually concealed; but the gilded and hollow pretext… — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share Image
Our very best friends have a tincture of jealousy even in their friendship; and when they hear us praised by others, will… — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share Image
We are not more ingenious in searching out bad motives for good actions when performed by others, than good motives for bad… — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share Image
Criticism discloses that which it would fain conceal, but conceals that which it professes to disclose; it is therefore, read by the… — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share Image
Many ... begin to make converts from motives of charity, but continue to do so from motives of pride. ... Charity is… — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share Image
It is in the middle classes of society that all the finest feeling, and the most amiable propensities of our nature do… — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share Image
There is no cruelty so inexorable and unrelenting as that which proceeds from a bigoted and presumptuous supposition of doing service to… — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share Image
As the grand discordant harmony of the celestial bodies may be explained by the simple principles of gravity and impulse, so also… — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share Image
Villainy that is vigilant will be an overmatch for virtue, if she slumber at her post. — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share
A beautiful woman, if poor, should use double circumspection; for her beauty will tempt others, her poverty herself. — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share
Were the life of man prolonged, he would become such a proficient in villainy, that it would become necessary again to drown or to… — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share
To dare to live alone is the rarest courage; since there are many who had rather meet their bitterest enemy in the field, than… — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share
It is doubtful whether mankind are most indebted to those who like Bacon and Butler dig the gold from the mine of literature, or… — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share
Be very slow to believe that you are wiser than all others; it is a fatal but common error. Where one has been saved… — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share
Mental pleasures never cloy; unlike those of the body, they are increased by reputation, approved by reflection, and strengthened by enjoyment. — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share
Ignorance lies at the bottom of all human knowledge, and the deeper we penetrate, the nearer we arrive unto it. — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share
Heroism, self-denial, and magnanimity, in all instances where they do not spring from a principle of religion, are but splendid altars on which we… — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share
We ought not to be over-anxious to encourage innovation in cases of doubtful improvement, for an old system must ever have two advantages over… — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share
We owe almost all our knowledge not to those who have agreed, but to those who have differed — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share
Metaphysicians have been learning their lessons for the last four thousand years, and it is high time that they should now begin to teach… — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share
Faith and works are necessary to our spiritual life as Christians, as soul and body are to our natural life as men; for faith… — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share
When all moves equally (says Pascal), nothing seems to move as in a vessel under sail; and when all run by common consent into… — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share
