Charles Caleb
Charles Caleb
men abuse virtue
It has been shrewdly said, that when, men abuse us we should suspect ourselves, and when they praise us, them. It is a rare instance of virtue to despise which censure which we do not deserve; and still more rare to despise praise which we do.
two may acquaintance
Make the most of the day, by determining to spend it on two sorts of acquaintances only--those by whom something may be got, and those from whom something may be learned.
men useless chance
We shall at all times chance upon men of recondite acquirements, but whose qualifications, from the incommunicative and inactive habits of their owners, are as utterly useless to others as though the possessors had them not.
adversity half known
He that has never known adversity is but half acquainted with others, or with himself.
wise men giving
Any one can give advice, such as it is, but only a wise man knows how to profit by it.
pride titles would-be
The pride of ancestry is a superstructure of the most imposing height, but resting on the most flimsy foundation. It is ridiculous enough to observe the hauteur with which the old nobility look down on the new. The reason of this puzzled me a little, until I began to reflect that most titles are respectable only because they are old; if new, they would be despised, because all those who now admire the grandeur of the stream would see nothing but the impurity of the source.
certain diffidence valour
Discretion has been termed the better part of valour, and it is more certain, that diffidence is the better part of knowledge.
oppression submit
Oppression cannot prosper where none will submit to be enslaved.
wicked earth would-be
A society composed of none but the wicked could not exist; it contains within itself the seeds of its own destruction, and without a flood, would be swept away from the earth by the deluge of its own iniquity.
men stones crystals
The temple of truth is built indeed of stones of crystal, but, inasmuch as men have been concerned in rearing it, it has been consolidated by a cement composed of baser materials.
masters worst
put on the livery of the best master only to serve the worst.
may riches talent
From the preponderance of talent, we may always infer the soundness and vigour of the commonwealth; but from the preponderance of riches, its dotage and degeneration.
men may able
Many a man may thank his talent for his rank, but no man has ever been able to return the compliment by thanking his rank for his talent.
pride charity may
Many ... begin to make converts from motives of charity, but continue to do so from motives of pride. ... Charity is contented with exhortation and example, but pride is not to be so easily satisfied. ... Whenever we find ourselves more inclined to persecute than persuade, we may then be certain that our zeal has more of pride in it than of charity.