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 Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
In order to try whether a vessel be leaky, we first prove it with water before we trust it with wine. — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
Of all the faculties of the mind, memory is the first that flourishes, the first that dies — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
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 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
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 Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
Villainy that is vigilant will be an overmatch for virtue, if she slumber at her post. — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share Image
A beautiful woman, if poor, should use double circumspection; for her beauty will tempt others, her poverty herself. — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share Image
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 Image
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 Image
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 Image
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 Image
None are so fond of secrets as those who do not mean to keep them. — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share Image
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 Image
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 Image
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 Image
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 Image
We owe almost all our knowledge not to those who have agreed, but to those who have differed — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share Image
