As the flint contains the spark, unknown to itself, which the steel alone can awaken to life, so adversity often reveals to us hidden gems, which prosperity or negligence would forever have hidden. Josh Billings More Quotes by Josh Billings More Quotes From Josh Billings I think when the full horror of being fifty hits you, you should stay home and have a good cry. Josh Billings stay-strong home thinking I've never known an auctioneer to lie unless it was absolutely necessary. Josh Billings funny-business known lying People who have nothing to say are never at a loss in talking. Josh Billings loss talking people I don't never have any trouble in regulating my own conduct, but to keep other folks' straight is what bothers me. Josh Billings hypocrisy trouble bother Experience increases our wisdom but doesn't reduce our follies. Josh Billings increase folly experience The best creed we can have is charity toward the creeds of others. Josh Billings tolerance charity creeds The truly innocent are those who not only are guiltless themselves but who think others are. Josh Billings innocent innocence thinking The books are balanced in heaven, not here. Josh Billings judgment heaven book Don't ever prophesy; for if you prophesy wrong, nobody will forget it; and if you prophesy right, nobody will remember it. Josh Billings prophecy forget remember Incredulity is the wisdom of the fool. Josh Billings incredulity fool belief Shame is the dying embers of virtue. Josh Billings shame virtue dying The unfortunate do not pity the unfortunate. Josh Billings pity unfortunate Rumor is a vagrant without a home, and lives upon what it can pick up. Josh Billings vagrants rumor home Rumor is like bees; the more you fight them the more you don't get rid of them. Josh Billings rumor fighting bees The hardest thing any man can do is to fall down on the ice when it's slippery, and get up and praise the Lord. Josh Billings ice men fall One legged chickens, I know, are the least apt to scratch a garden. Josh Billings scratches chickens garden Never teach your child to be cunning or you may be certain you will be one of the very first victims of his shrewdness. Josh Billings shrewdness may children Men of genius are like eagles, they live on what they kill, while men of talents are like crows, they live on what has been killed for them. Josh Billings crow eagles men Young widows still bide their time. Josh Billings widows stills young It is a great art to be superior to others without letting them know it. Josh Billings superiors knows art