Charles Caleb
Charles Caleb
safety ignorant lightning
They that are loudest in their threats are the weakest in the execution of them. It is probable that he who is killed by lightning hears no noise; but the thunder-clap which follows, and which most alarms the ignorant, is the surest proof of their safety.
understanding mind half
It is with disease of the mind, as with those of the body; we are half dead before we understand our disorder, and half cured when we do.
men years two
No man can promise himself even fifty years of life, but any man may, if he please, live in the proportion of fifty years in forty-let him rise early, that he may have the day before him, and let him make the most of the day, by determining to expend it on two sorts of acquaintance only-those by whom something may be got, and those from whom something maybe learned.
mean secret purpose
None are so fond of secrets as those who do not mean to keep them; such persons covet secrets as a spendthrift covets money, for the purpose of circulation.
heart envy people
Envy ought to have no place allowed it in the hearts of people; for the goods of this present world are so vile and low that they are beneath it; and those of the future world are so vast and exalted that they are above it.
cutting giving wealth
Those that will not permit their wealth to do any good for others. . . cut themselves off from the truest pleasure here and the highest happiness later.
passion exercise order
Repartee is perfect when it effects its purpose with a double edge. It is the highest order of wit, as it indicates the coolest yet quickest exercise of genius, at a moment when the passions are roused.
honor fickle opinion
Honor is unstable and seldom the same; for she feeds upon opinion, and is as fickle as her food.
design soul secrecy
Secrecy is the soul of all great designs.
fashion grace virtue
Fashions smile has given wit to dullness and grace to deformity, and has brought everything into vogue, by turns, but virtue.
wise men may
A wise man may be duped as well as a fool; but the fool publishes the triumph of the deceiver.
men two rogues
There are two modes of establishing our reputation; to be praised by honest men, and to be abused by rogues.
religion crime thousand
Where true religion has prevented one crime, false religions have afforded a pretext for a thousand.
pity comment misfortunes
Most of our misfortunes are more supportable than the comments of our friends upon them.