Abraham Cowley Quotes

Solitude cherishes great virtues and destroys little ones.

The knowledge of yourself will preserve you from vanity.

He who knows much about others may be learned, but he who understands himself is more intelligent. He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.

Cherish that which is within you, and shut off that which is without; for much knowledge is a curse.

Have the courage to be ignorant of a great number of things, in order to avoid the calamity of being ignorant of everything.

I understood, by dint of digging into my memories, that modesty helped me to shine, humility helped me to triumph and virtue to oppress.

In the matter of learning, the difference between the earnest and the careless student stands out clearly. The same holds true in the mastering of passion and the weaknesses to which our nature is subject, as in the acquiring of virtue.

To accuse others for one's own misfortunes is a sign of want of education. To accuse oneself shows that one's education has begun. To accuse neither oneself nor others shows that one's education is complete.

Our happiness depends on wisdom all the way.

The most useful piece of learning for the uses of life is to unlearn what is untrue.

Patience is a virtue, and I'm learning patience. It's a tough lesson.

Property may be destroyed and money may lose its purchasing power; but, character, health, knowledge and good judgement will always be in demand under all conditions.

The doer alone learneth.

I will not be concerned at other men's not knowing me; I will be concerned at my own want of ability.

Do the things you know, and you shall learn the truth you need to know.

Instead of looking outside of ourselves and counting potential enemies, fasting summons us to turn our glance inward, and to take the measure of our greatest challenge: the self, the ego, in our own eyes and as others see us.

There's a victory, and defeat; the first and best of victories, the lowest and worst of defeats which each man gains or sustains at the hands not of another, but of himself.

Few people have the wisdom to prefer the criticism that would do them good, to the praise that deceives them.

What is the good of experience if you do not reflect?

I wonder whether if I had an education I should have been more or less a fool that I am.

The only things standing between you and the compassionate, wise, and creative person you want to be are matters of choice. Your choice. No one can occupy your generosity except you.

When you locate good in yourself, approve of it with determination. When you locate evil in yourself, despise it as something detestable.

The man who makes everything that leads to happiness depends upon himself, and not upon other men, has adopted the very best plan for living happily. This is the man of moderation, the man of manly character and of wisdom.

Discipline is wisdom and vice versa.

No power in society, no hardship in your condition can depress you, keep you down, in knowledge, power, virtue, influence, but by your own consent.