Free competition is worth more to society than it costs. — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr Competition Copy Share Image
Young men know the rules, but old men know the exceptions. — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr Copy Share Image
The nearer you come into relation with a person, the more necessary do tact and courtesy become. — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr Copy Share Image
Life is an end in itself, and the only question as to whether it is worth living is whether you have had… — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr Copy Share Image
To think great thoughts you must be heroes as well as idealists. — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr Hero Copy Share Image
People talk fundamentals and superlatives and then make some changes of detail. — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr Copy Share Image
We are all tattooed in our cradles with the beliefs of our tribe; the record may seem superficial, but it is indelible. — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr Belief Copy Share Image
Our test of truth is a reference to either a present or imagined future majority in favour of our view. — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr Copy Share Image
It seems to me that at this time we need education in the obvious more than the investigation of the obscure. — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr Education Copy Share Image
Apologizing - a very desperate habit - one that is rarely cured. Apology is only egotism wrong side out. — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr Copy Share Image
I have no respect for the passion of equality, which seems to me merely idealizing envy - I don't disparage envy, but… — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr Copy Share Image
Men are tattooed with their special beliefs like so many South Sea Islanders; but a real human heart with divine love in… — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr Copy Share Image
There is nothing earthly that lasts so well, as money. A man's learning dies with him, as does his virtues fade out… — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr Children Copy Share Image
The wind blows out, the bubble dies; The spring entomb'd in autumn lies; The dew dries up; the star is shot; The… — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr Autumn Copy Share Image
Liberty is often a heavy burden on a man. It involves the necessity for perpetual choice which is the kind of labor… — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr Burden Copy Share Image
The great end of being is to harmonize man with the order of things, and the church has been a good pitch-pipe,… — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr Church Copy Share Image
Reason means truth and those who are not governed by it take the chance that someday the sunken fact will rip the… — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr Copy Share Image
It is very grand to die in harness, but it is very pleasant to have the tight straps unbuckled and the heavy… — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr Copy Share Image
The provisions of the Constitution are not mathematical formulas having their essence in their form; they are organic, living institutions transplanted from… — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr Copy Share Image
With all humility, I think, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." Infinitely more important than the vain… — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr About yourself Copy Share Image
It is better for all the world, if instead of waiting to execute degenerate offspring for crime or to let them starve… — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr Copy Share Image
If I had a formula for bypassing trouble, I wouldn't pass it around. Wouldn't be doing anybody a favor. Trouble creates a… — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr Copy Share Image
The history of intellectual growth and discovery clearly demonstrates the need for unfettered freedom, the right to think the unthinkable, discuss the… — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr Challenges Copy Share Image
I think that we should be eternally vigilant against attempts to check the expression of opinions that we loathe and believe to… — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr Copy Share Image
Why should you row a boat race? Why endure the long months of pain in preparation for a fierce half hour that… — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr Anguish Copy Share Image
The rule of joy and the law of duty seem to me all one. — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr Duty Copy Share Image
No generalization is wholly true—not even this one. — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr Funny Copy Share Image
Every man is an omnibus in which his ancestors ride. — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr Ancestor Copy Share Image
We have been cocksure of many things that were not so. — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr Certainty Copy Share Image
