CHARLES CALEB COLTON

Posthumous charities are the very essence of selfishness when bequeathed by those who, even alive, would part with nothing.

We often pretend to fear what we really despise, and more often despise what we really fear.

There are two way of establishing a reputation, one to be praised by honest people and the other to be accused by rogues. It is best, however, to secure the first one, because it will always be accompanied by the latter.

Doubt is the vestibule through which all must pass before they can enter into the temple of wisdom.

Power will intoxicate the best hearts, as wine the strongest heads. No man is wise enough, nor good enough to be trusted with unlimited power.

Happiness, that grand mistress of the ceremonies in the dance of life, impels us through all its mazes and meanderings, but leads none of us by the same route.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty; it is a blessing that must be earned before it can be enjoyed.

Examinations are formidable even to the best prepared, for the greatest fool may ask more than the wisest man can answer.

Marriage is a feast where the grace is sometimes better than the dinner.

There is nothing more imprudent than excessive prudence.

It is better to meet danger than to wait for it. He that is on a lee shore, and foresees a hurricane, stands out to sea and encounters a storm to avoid a shipwreck.

Avarice has ruined more souls than extravagance.

If you would be known, and not know, vegetate in a village; if you would know, and not be known, live in a city.

The greatest friend of truth is Time, her greatest enemy is Prejudice, and her constant companion is Humility.

Silence is foolish if we are wise, but wise if we are foolish.

Our admiration of fine writing will always be in proportion to its real difficulty and its apparent ease.

The excess of our youth are checks written against our age and they are payable with interest thirty years later.

Times of great calamity and confusion have been productive for the greatest minds. The purest ore is produced from the hottest furnace. The brightest thunder-bolt is elicited from the darkest storm.

We hate some persons because we do not know them; and will not know them because we hate them.

Books, like friends, should be few and well chosen. Like friends, too, we should return to them again and again for, like true friends, they will never fail us - never cease to instruct - never cloy.

If you cannot inspire a woman with love of you, fill her above the brim with love of herself; all that runs over will be yours.

He who studies books alone will know how things ought to be, and he who studies men will know how they are.

Tyrants have not yet discovered any chains that can fetter the mind.

Friendship often ends in love; but love in friendship - never.

To write what is worth publishing, to find honest people to publish it, and get sensible people to read it, are the three great difficulties in being an author.