Firsts Quotes by Charles Caleb Colton

Ambition is to the mind what the cap is to the falcon; it blinds us first, and then compels us to tower…

— Charles Caleb Colton

A man's profundity may keep him from opening on a first interview, and his caution on a second; but I should suspect…

— Charles Caleb Colton

In order to try whether a vessel be leaky, we first prove it with water before we trust it with wine.

— Charles Caleb Colton

Ignorance is a blank sheet, on which we may write; but error is a scribbled one, on which we must first erase.

— Charles Caleb Colton

Let those who would affect singularity with success first determine to be very virtuous, and they will be sure to be very…

— Charles Caleb Colton

If we trace the history of most revolutions, we shall find that the first inroads upon the laws have been made by…

— Charles Caleb Colton

Of all the faculties of the mind, memory is the first that flourishes, the first that dies

— Charles Caleb Colton

Shining outward qualities, although they may excite first-rate expectations, are not unusually found to be the companions of second-rate abilities.

— Charles Caleb Colton

When all moves equally (says Pascal), nothing seems to move as in a vessel under sail; and when all run by common…

— Charles Caleb Colton

There are circumstances of peculiar difficulty and danger, where a mediocrity of talent is the most fatal quantum that a man can…

— Charles Caleb Colton

Revenge is fever in our own blood, to be cured only by letting the blood of another; but the remedy too often…

— Charles Caleb Colton

Custom is the law of one description of fools, and fashion of another; but the two parties often clash--for precedent is the…

— Charles Caleb Colton

Some men are very entertaining for a first interview, but after that they are exhausted, and run out; on a second meeting…

— Charles Caleb Colton

Two things, well considered, would prevent many quarrels: first, to have it well ascertained whether we are not disputing about terms, rather…

— Charles Caleb Colton

A Christian builds his fortitude on a better foundation than stoicism; he is pleased with every thing that happens, because he knows…

— Charles Caleb Colton

There are two principles of established acceptance in morals; first, that self-interest is the mainspring of all of our actions, and secondly,…

— Charles Caleb Colton

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

The truly great consider, first, how they may gain the approbation of God, and, secondly, that of their own conscience. Having done…

— Charles Caleb Colton

A town, before it can be plundered and, deserted, must first be taken; and in this particular Venus has borrowed a law…

— Charles Caleb Colton

A coxcomb begins by determining that his own profession is the first; and he finishes by deciding that he is the first…

— Charles Caleb Colton

The family is the most basic unit of government. As the first community to which a person is attached and the first…

— Charles Caleb Colton

We strive as hard to hide our hearts from ourselves as from others, and always with more success; for in deciding upon…

— Charles Caleb Colton

When I meet with any persons who write obscurely or converse confusedly, I am apt to suspect two things; first, that such…

— Charles Caleb Colton

When the air balloon was first discovered, some one flippantly asked Dr. Franklin what was the use of it. The doctor answered…

— Charles Caleb Colton