Any new formula which suddenly emerges in our consciousness has its roots in long trains of thought; it is virtually old when it first makes its appearance among the recognized growths of our intellect. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. More Quotes by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. More Quotes From Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. Apologizing - a very desperate habit - one that is rarely cured. Apology is only egotism wrong side out. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. apologizingapologysides To brag little, to lose well, / To crow gently if in luck, / To pay up, to own up, / To shut up if beaten, / Are the virtues of a sportingman. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. crowluckcharacter To be master of any branch of knowledge, you must master those which lie next to it, and thus to know anything you must know all. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. brancheslyingknowledge A man's opinions are generally of much more value than his arguments. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. argumentopinionmen General propositions do not decide concrete cases. The decision will depend on a judgment or intuition more subtle than any articulate major premise. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. judgmentintuitiondecision The law is the witness and external deposit of our moral life. Its history is the history of the moral development of the race. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. moral-developmentracelaw The history of intellectual growth and discovery clearly demonstrates the need for unfettered freedom, the right to think the unthinkable, discuss the unmentionable, and challenge the unchallengeable. To curtail free expression strikes twice at intellectual freedom, for whoever deprives another of the right to state unpopular views necessarily also deprives others of the right to listen to those views. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. viewsdiscoverythinking A river is more than an amenity, it is a treasure. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. paddlingriverswater There are many things which we can afford to forget which it is yet well to learn. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. teenagereducationinspirational Whatever disagreement there may be as to the scope of the phrase "due process of law" there can be no doubt that it embraces the fundamental conception of a fair trial, with opportunity to be heard. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. lawjusticeopportunity With all humility, I think, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." Infinitely more important than the vain attempt to love one's neighbor as one's self. If you want to hit a bird on the wing you must have all your will in focus, you must not be thinking about yourself, and equally, you must not be thinking about your neighbor; you must be living with your eye on that bird. Every achievement is a bird on the wing. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. selfisheyehumility The ultimate good desired is better reached by free trade in ideas [and] the best test of truth is the power of the thought to get itself accepted in the competition of the market. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. competitionacceptanceideas Beware of making your moral staple consist of the negative virtues. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. ethicsintegritynegative The greatest act of faith is when a man understands he is not God. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. humilityfaithmen Life is a fatal complaint, and an eminently contagious one. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. successinspirelife The nearer you come into relation with a person, the more necessary do tact and courtesy become. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. holmescourtesyrelation The only condition of peace in this world is to have no ideas, or, at least not to express them. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. peaceworldideas It is mere childishness to expect men to believe as their fathers did; that is, if they have any minds of their own. The world is a whole generation older and wiser than when the father was of his son's age. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. believefatherson The riders in a race do not stop when they reach the goal. There is a little finishing canter before coming to a standstill. There is time to hear the kind voices of friends and say to oneself, The work is done. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. voiceworkfriendship From forty to fifty a man must move upward, or the natural falling off in the vigor of life will carry him rapidly downward. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. menfallmoving
