Idleness is the grand Pacific Ocean of life, and in that stagnant abyss the most salutary things produce no good, the most… — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share Image
It is much easier to ruin a man of principle than a man of none, for he may be ruined through his… — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share Image
The French have a saying that whatever excellence a man may exhibit in a public station he is very apt to be… — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share Image
Adroit observers will find that some who affect to dislike flattery, may yet be flattered indirectly, by a well seasoned abuse and… — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share Image
Heaven may have happiness as utterly unknown to us as the gift of perfect vision would be to a man born blind.… — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share Image
Hannibal knew better how to conquer than how to profit by the conquest; and Napoleon was more skilful in taking positions than… — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share Image
We cannot think too highly of our nature, nor too humbly of ourselves. When we see the martyr to virtue, subject as… — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share Image
A wise man may be duped as well as a fool; but the fool publishes the triumph of his deceiver; the wise… — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share Image
There is an elasticity in the human mind, capable of bearing much, but which will not show itself, until a certain weight… — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share Image
There is no quality of the mind, or of the body, that so instantaneously and irresistibly captivates, as wit. An elegant writer… — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share Image
The wisest man may be wiser to-day than he was yesterday, and to-morrow than he is to-day. Total freedom from change would… — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share Image
Extemporaneous and oral harangues will always have this advantage over those that are read from a in manuscript: every burst of eloquence… — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share Image
Wars are to the body politic, what drams are to the individual. There are times when they may prevent a sudden death,… — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share Image
From the preponderance of talent, we may always infer the soundness and vigour of the commonwealth; but from the preponderance of riches,… — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share Image
Whenever we find ourselves more inclined to persecute than to persuade, we may then be certain that our zeal has more of… — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share Image
The two most precious things this side of the grave are our reputation and our life. But it is to be lamented… — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share Image
That profound firmness which enabler a man to regard difficulties but as evils to be surmounted, no matter what shape they may… — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share Image
Much may be done in those little shreds and patches of time which every day produces, and which most men throw away. — 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
Many a man may thank his talent for his rank, but no man has ever been able to return the compliment by… — 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
Examinations are formidable even to the best prepared, for the greatest fool may ask more than the wisest man can answer. — Charles Caleb Colton Copy Share Image
That alliance may be said to have a double tie, where the minds are united as well as the body; and 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
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
