--- title: "27 Ifs Quotes By Josh Billings" description: "27 Ifs quotes by Josh Billings. Plus more from Josh Billings and more Ifs sayings from other authors." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d41/josh-billings-777_coquette_fortune-is-like-a-coquette-if-you-don-t_330012.png" --- > [Fortune is like a coquette; if you don't run after her, she will run after you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/fortune-is-like-a-coquette-if-you-don-t-run-after-her-she-will-run/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d41/josh-billings-777_coquette_fortune-is-like-a-coquette-if-you-don-t_330012.png) > [If you would make yourself agreeable wherever you go, listen to the grievances of others but never relate your own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/if-you-would-make-yourself-agreeable-wherever-you-go-listen-to-the/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76e/josh-billings-777_grievance_if-you-would-make-yourself-agreeable-whe_410710.png) > [If mankind were only just what they pretend to be, the problem of the millennium would be immediately solved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/if-mankind-were-only-just-what-they-pretend-to-be-the-problem-of-the/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27f/josh-billings-777_changing_if-mankind-were-only-just-what-they-pret_2409404.png) > [Never work before breakfast; if you have to work before breakfast, eat your breakfast first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/never-work-before-breakfast-if-you-have-to-work-before-breakfast-eat/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/672/josh-billings-777_beautiful-morning_never-work-before-breakfast-if-you-have_2793090.png) > [Every man should know something of law; if he knows enough to keep out of it, he is a pretty good lawyer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/every-man-should-know-something-of-law-if-he-knows-enough-to-keep-out/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/860/josh-billings-777_enough_every-man-should-know-something-of-law-i_577882.png) > [When a man makes up his mind to become a rascal, he should examine himself closely and see if he isn't better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/when-a-man-makes-up-his-mind-to-become-a-rascal-he-should-examine/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67b/josh-billings-777_fool_when-a-man-makes-up-his-mind-to-become-a_2419913.png) > [Prejudice is a house-plant which is very apt to wilt if you take it out-of-doors among folks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/prejudice-is-a-house-plant-which-is-very-apt-to-wilt-if-you-take-it/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a9/josh-billings-777_doors_prejudice-is-a-house-plant-which-is-very_487231.png) > [Our continual desire for praise ought to convince us of our mortality, if nothing else will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/our-continual-desire-for-praise-ought-to-convince-us-of-our-mortality/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/403/josh-billings-777_convince_our-continual-desire-for-praise-ought-to_2820698.png) > [Contentment is a kind of moral laziness; if there wasn't anything but contentment in his world, man wouldn't be any more of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/contentment-is-a-kind-of-moral-laziness-if-there-wasn-t-anything-but/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b8/josh-billings-777_character_contentment-is-a-kind-of-moral-laziness_1911384.png) > [Dangers are sum like a kold bath, very dangerous while you stand stripped on the bank, but often not only harmless, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/dangers-are-sum-like-a-kold-bath-very-dangerous-while-you-stand/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/758/josh-billings-777_baths_dangers-are-sum-like-a-kold-bath-very-da_2152955.png) > [What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul I suppose this depends somewhat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/what-is-a-man-profited-if-he-shall-gain-the-whole-world-and-lose-his-2/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7c/josh-billings-777_cases_what-is-a-man-profited-if-he-shall-gain_2551762.png) > [If men were stubborn just in proportion as they were right, stubbornness would take her seat among the virtues; but men are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/if-men-were-stubborn-just-in-proportion-as-they-were-right/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27b/josh-billings-777_greatness_if-men-were-stubborn-just-in-proportion_1288965.png) > [Taking from others never results in prosperity. If we steal from others, life will steal from us. There is an incredible abundance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/taking-from-others-never-results-in-prosperity-if-we-steal-from/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/279/josh-billings-777_about-yourself_taking-from-others-never-results-in-pros_2087764.png) > [Habits are like the wrinkles on a man's brow; if you will smooth out the one, I will smooth out the other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/habits-are-like-the-wrinkles-on-a-man-s-brow-if-you-will-smooth-out/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2de/josh-billings-777_brows_habits-are-like-the-wrinkles-on-a-man-s_971542.png) > [A secret ceases to be a secret if it is once confided - it is like a dollar bill, once broken, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/a-secret-ceases-to-be-a-secret-if-it-is-once-confided-it-is-like-a/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a88/josh-billings-777_bills_a-secret-ceases-to-be-a-secret-if-it-is_93308.png) > [If a man is right, he can't be too radical; if he is wrong, he can't be too conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/if-a-man-is-right-he-can-t-be-too-radical-if-he-is-wrong-he-can-t-be/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b9/josh-billings-777_conservative_if-a-man-is-right-he-can-t-be-too-radica_97497.png) > [As a general rule, if you want to get at the truth - hear both sides and believe neither.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/as-a-general-rule-if-you-want-to-get-at-the-truth-hear-both-sides-and/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f38/josh-billings-777_believe_as-a-general-rule-if-you-want-to-get-at_119577.png) > [If the world despises a hypocrite, what must they think of him in heaven?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/if-the-world-despises-a-hypocrite-what-must-they-think-of-him-in/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/afe/josh-billings-777_despise_if-the-world-despises-a-hypocrite-what-m_160686.png) > [If animals had reason, they would act just as ridiculous as we menfolks do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/if-animals-had-reason-they-would-act-just-as-ridiculous-as-we/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39a/josh-billings-777_animal_if-animals-had-reason-they-would-act-jus_1001569.png) > [Experience is a grindstone; and it is lucky for us, if we can get brightened by it, and not ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/experience-is-a-grindstone-and-it-is-lucky-for-us-if-we-can-get/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d93/josh-billings-777_experience_experience-is-a-grindstone-and-it-is-luc_742153.png) > [Plenty of folks are so contrary that if they should fall into the river, they would insist upon floating upstream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/plenty-of-folks-are-so-contrary-that-if-they-should-fall-into-the/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a8/josh-billings-777_contrary_plenty-of-folks-are-so-contrary-that-if_2922164.png) > [Never run into debt, not if you can find anything else to run into.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/never-run-into-debt-not-if-you-can-find-anything-else-to-run-into/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ce/josh-billings-777_advice_never-run-into-debt-not-if-you-can-find_3087672.png) > [A slander is like a hornet; if you cannot kill it dead at the first blow, better not to strike at it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/a-slander-is-like-a-hornet-if-you-cannot-kill-it-dead-at-the-first/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/238/josh-billings-777_blow_a-slander-is-like-a-hornet-if-you-cannot_2335597.png) > [If you believe you can do something, then you can acquire the ability to do it even if you didn't have it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/if-you-believe-you-can-do-something-then-you-can-acquire-the-ability/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/366/josh-billings-777_ability_if-you-believe-you-can-do-something-then_527256.png) > [I don't care how much a man talks, if he only says it in a few words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/i-don-t-care-how-much-a-man-talks-if-he-only-says-it-in-a-few-words/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13a/josh-billings-777_care_i-don-t-care-how-much-a-man-talks-if-he_1537746.png) > [You should always live within your income, even if you have to borrow to do so.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/you-should-always-live-within-your-income-even-if-you-have-to-borrow/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/499/josh-billings-777_borrow_you-should-always-live-within-your-incom_2831768.png) > [If you do not know how to lie, cheat, and steal, turn your attention to politics and learn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/if-you-do-not-know-how-to-lie-cheat-and-steal-turn-your-attention-to/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc9/josh-billings-777_attention_if-you-do-not-know-how-to-lie-cheat-and_836666.png) ## Other authors on Ifs ## More by Josh Billings > [It ain't because lovers are so sensitive that they quarrel so often; it is because there is so much fun n the making up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/it-ain-t-because-lovers-are-so-sensitive-that-they-quarrel-so-often/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Man was created a little lower than the angels and has been getting a little lower ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/man-was-created-a-little-lower-than-the-angels-and-has-been-getting-a/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [There is only one good substitute for the endearments of a sister, and that is the endearments of some other fellow's sister.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/there-is-only-one-good-substitute-for-the-endearments-of-a-sister-and/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds a man down or polishes him up depends on the stuff he's made of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/life-is-a-grindstone-and-whether-it-grinds-a-man-down-or-polishes-him/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Its harly my dog A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/its-harly-my-dog-a-dog-is-the-only-thing-on-earth-that-loves-you-more/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Perseverance is king.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/perseverance-is-king/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Unless we put heart and soul into our labor we but brutify our actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/unless-we-put-heart-and-soul-into-our-labor-we-but-brutify-our-actions/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [A secret ceases to be a secret if it is once confided - it is like a dollar bill, once broken, it is never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/a-secret-ceases-to-be-a-secret-if-it-is-once-confided-it-is-like-a/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [If a man is right, he can't be too radical; if he is wrong, he can't be too conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/if-a-man-is-right-he-can-t-be-too-radical-if-he-is-wrong-he-can-t-be/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [As a general rule, if you want to get at the truth - hear both sides and believe neither.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/as-a-general-rule-if-you-want-to-get-at-the-truth-hear-both-sides-and/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Economy is a savings-bank, into which men drop pennies, and get dollars in return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/economy-is-a-savings-bank-into-which-men-drop-pennies-and-get-dollars/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Self-made men are most always apt to be a little too proud of the job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/self-made-men-are-most-always-apt-to-be-a-little-too-proud-of-the-job/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Poverty is one of them kind of misfortunes that we all of us dread but none of us pity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/poverty-is-one-of-them-kind-of-misfortunes-that-we-all-of-us-dread/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [If the world despises a hypocrite, what must they think of him in heaven?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/if-the-world-despises-a-hypocrite-what-must-they-think-of-him-in/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [The man who gets bit twice by the same dog is better adapted for that kind of business than any other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/the-man-who-gets-bit-twice-by-the-same-dog-is-better-adapted-for-that/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "ItemList", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/josh-billings/#itemlist", "name": "27 Ifs Quotes By Josh Billings", "numberOfItems": 27, "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Fortune is like a coquette; 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I think there are cases where the trade would do.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Josh Billings" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/what-is-a-man-profited-if-he-shall-gain-the-whole-world-and-lose-his-2/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7c/josh-billings-777_cases_what-is-a-man-profited-if-he-shall-gain_2551762.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7c/josh-billings-777_cases_what-is-a-man-profited-if-he-shall-gain_2551762.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7c/josh-billings-777_cases_what-is-a-man-profited-if-he-shall-gain_2551762.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul I suppose this depends…” — Josh Billings", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 12, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If men were stubborn just in proportion as they were right, stubbornness would take her seat among the virtues; but men are generally stubborn just in proportion as they are ignorant and wrong.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Josh Billings" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/if-men-were-stubborn-just-in-proportion-as-they-were-right/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27b/josh-billings-777_greatness_if-men-were-stubborn-just-in-proportion_1288965.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27b/josh-billings-777_greatness_if-men-were-stubborn-just-in-proportion_1288965.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27b/josh-billings-777_greatness_if-men-were-stubborn-just-in-proportion_1288965.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If men were stubborn just in proportion as they were right, stubbornness would take her seat among the…” — Josh Billings", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 13, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Taking from others never results in prosperity. 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"contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/afe/josh-billings-777_despise_if-the-world-despises-a-hypocrite-what-m_160686.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/afe/josh-billings-777_despise_if-the-world-despises-a-hypocrite-what-m_160686.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If the world despises a hypocrite, what must they think of him in heaven?” — Josh Billings", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 19, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If animals had reason, they would act just as ridiculous as we menfolks do.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Josh Billings" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/if-animals-had-reason-they-would-act-just-as-ridiculous-as-we/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39a/josh-billings-777_animal_if-animals-had-reason-they-would-act-jus_1001569.png", 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