It is our relation to circumstances that determines their influence upon us. — Christian Nestell Bovee Circumstances Copy Share Image
We take life too seriously: the office of wit is to correct this tendency. — Christian Nestell Bovee Life Copy Share Image
In a contest with a weaker party it is more honorable to yield than to force concession. Magnanimity becomes the strong. — Christian Nestell Bovee Concessions Copy Share Image
Common sense, alas in spite of our educational institutions, is a rare commodity. — Christian Nestell Bovee Alas Copy Share Image
Genuine religion is matter of feeling rather than matter of opinion. — Christian Nestell Bovee Feelings Copy Share Image
Kindred weaknesses induce friendships as often as kindred virtues. — Christian Nestell Bovee Character Copy Share Image
Contentment is not happiness. An oyster may be contented. Happiness is compounded of richer elements. — Christian Nestell Bovee Contentment Copy Share Image
Music is the fourth great material want, first food, then clothes, then shelter, then music. — Christian Nestell Bovee Clothes Copy Share Image
Repose without stagnation is the state most favorable to happiness. "The great felicity of life," says Seneca, "is to be without perturbations. — Christian Nestell Bovee Felicity Copy Share Image
The method of the critic is to balance praises with censure, and thus to do justice to the subject and--his own discrimination. — Christian Nestell Bovee Balance Copy Share Image
Resentments, carried too far, expose us to a fate analogous to that of the fish-hawk, when he strikes his talons too deep… — Christian Nestell Bovee Anger Copy Share Image
The questions most furiously discussed are those which have in them a basis of truth, and yet a large admixture of errors.… — Christian Nestell Bovee Bases Copy Share Image
Some one called Sir Richard Steele the "vilest of mankind," and he retorted with proud humility, "It would be a glorious world… — Christian Nestell Bovee Glorious Copy Share Image
Can that which is the greatest virtue in philosophy, doubt (called by Galileo the father of invention), be in religion what the… — Christian Nestell Bovee Doubt Copy Share Image
Nature has provided for the exigency of privation, by putting the measure of our necessities far below the measure of our wants.… — Christian Nestell Bovee Bread Copy Share Image
The activity of the young is like that of railcars in motion--they tear along with noise and turmoil, and leave peace behind… — Christian Nestell Bovee Activity Copy Share Image
The knowledge beyond all other knowledge is the knowledge how to excuse. — Christian Nestell Bovee Excuse Copy Share Image
It is curious to what a degree one may become attached to a fine tree, especially when it is placed where trees… — Christian Nestell Bovee Curious Copy Share Image
The finest compliment that can be paid to a woman of sense is to address her as such. — Christian Nestell Bovee Addresses Copy Share Image
We may learn from children how large a part of our grievances is imaginary. But the pain is just as real. — Christian Nestell Bovee Child Copy Share Image
There is no tyrant like custom, and no freedom where its edicts are not resisted. — Christian Nestell Bovee Customs Copy Share Image
Dreamers are half-way men of thought, and men of thought are half-way men of action. — Christian Nestell Bovee Action Copy Share Image
Marriage, by making us more contented, causes us often to be less enterprising. — Christian Nestell Bovee Causes Copy Share Image
Honesty is not only the first step toward greatness, it is greatness itself. — Christian Nestell Bovee First step Copy Share Image
We should not so much esteem our poverty as a misfortune, were it not that the world treats it so much as… — Christian Nestell Bovee Crime Copy Share Image
It is in vain that he seeks dominion abroad, who is not kingly at home. — Christian Nestell Bovee Abroad Copy Share Image
There are none so low but they have their triumphs. Small successes suffice for small souls. — Christian Nestell Bovee Lows Copy Share Image
The legitimate aim of criticism is to direct attention to the excellent. The bad will dig its own grave. — Christian Nestell Bovee Aim Copy Share Image
Galileo called doubt the father of invention; it is certainly the pioneer. — Christian Nestell Bovee Doubt Copy Share Image
Excellence in art is largely the result of attention to minutiae, and--prayer. — Christian Nestell Bovee Art Copy Share Image
Genius makes its observations in short-hand; talent writes them out at length. — Christian Nestell Bovee Genius Copy Share Image
No work deserves to be criticized that has not much in it that deserves to be applauded. — Christian Nestell Bovee Criticism Copy Share Image
Like the withered roses of a once gay garland, the feelings of youth command in age a melancholy interest. — Christian Nestell Bovee Age Copy Share Image
Silence, when nothing need be said, is the eloquence of discretion. — Christian Nestell Bovee Discretion Copy Share Image
If it is a distinction to have written a good book, it is also a disgrace to have written a bad one. — Christian Nestell Bovee Book Copy Share Image
A peculiar work in any art must not be too hastily judged. New styles have to create new tastes. — Christian Nestell Bovee Art Copy Share Image
Even when we fancy we have grown wiser, it is only, it may be, that new prejudices have displaced old ones. — Christian Nestell Bovee Fancy Copy Share Image
The very cunning conceal their cunning; the indifferently shrewd boast of it. — Christian Nestell Bovee Boast Copy Share Image
We absolve a friend from gratitude when we remind him of a favor. — Christian Nestell Bovee Favors Copy Share Image
Merit is never so conspicuous as when coupled with an obscure origin, just as the moon never appears so lustrous as when… — Christian Nestell Bovee Clouds Copy Share Image
