Be very slow to believe that you are wiser than all others; it is a fatal but common error. Charles Caleb Colton More Quotes by Charles Caleb Colton More Quotes From Charles Caleb Colton It has been observed that a dwarf standing on the shoulders of a giant will see farther than the giant himself; and the moderns, standing as they do on the vantage ground of former discoveries and uniting all the fruits of the experience of their forefathers, with their own actual observation, may be admitted to enjoy a more enlarged and comprehensive view of things than the ancients themselves. Charles Caleb Colton dwarves discovery knowledge 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. Charles Caleb Colton passion exercise order Truth can hardly be expected to adapt herself to the crooked policy and wily sinuosities of worldly affairs; for truth, like light, travels only in straight lines. Charles Caleb Colton lines light truth Gold is worshipped in all climates, without a single temple, and by all classes, without a single hypocrite. Charles Caleb Colton hypocrite gold class Where we cannot invent, we may at least improve; we may give somewhat of novelty to that which was old, condensation to that which was diffuse, perspicuity to that which was obscure, and currency to that which was recondite. Charles Caleb Colton novelty may giving Great minds had rather deserve contemporaneous applause without obtaining it, than obtain without deserving it. If it follow them it is well, but they will not deviate to follow it. Charles Caleb Colton deserving-it greatness mind The soundest argument will produce no more conviction in an empty head than the most superficial declamation; as a feather and a guinea fall with equal velocity in a vacuum. Charles Caleb Colton velocity vacuums fall Some reputed saints that have been canonized ought to have been cannonaded. Charles Caleb Colton ought atheism saint Alas! What is man? Whether he be deprived of that light which is from on high, of whether he discard it, a frail and trembling creature; standing on time, that bleak and narrow isthmus between two eternities, he sees nothing but impenetrable darkness on the one hand, and doubt, distrust, and conjecture, still more perplexing, on the other. Most gladly would he take an observation, as to whence he has come, or whither he is going; alas, he has not the means: his telescope is too dim, his compass too wavering, his plummet too short. Charles Caleb Colton light men mean Man, if he compare himself with all that he can see, is at the zenith of power; but if he compare himself with all that he can conceive, he is at the nadir of weakness. Charles Caleb Colton nadir weakness men Sloth, if it has prevented many crimes, has also smothered many virtues. Charles Caleb Colton virtue laziness sloth Mental pleasures never cloy; unlike those of the body, they are increased by reputation, approved by reflection, and strengthened by enjoyment. Charles Caleb Colton reputation body reflection 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. Charles Caleb Colton execution ignorant safety If we look backwards to antiquity it should be as those that are winning a race. Charles Caleb Colton race winning looks Shrewd and crafty politicians, when they wish to bring about an unpopular measure, must not go straight forward to work, if they do they will certainly fail; and failures to men in power, are like defeats to a general, they shake their popularity. Therefore, since they cannot sail in the teeth of the wind, they must tack, and ultimately gain their object, by appearing at times to be departing from it. Charles Caleb Colton political wind men The French revolution was a .eune invented and constructed for the purpose of manufacturing liberty; but it had neither lever cogs, nor adjusting powers, and the consequences were that it worked so rapidly that it destroyed its own inventors, and set itself on fire. Charles Caleb Colton cogs liberty fire The interests of society often render it expedient not to utter the whole truth, the interests of science never: for in this field we have much more to fear from the deficiency of truth than from its abundance. Charles Caleb Colton fields truth fear Nobility of birth does not always insure a corresponding unity of mind; if it did, it would always act as a stimulus to noble actions; but it sometimes acts as a clog rather than a spur. Charles Caleb Colton spurs unity mind How strange it is that we of the present day are constantly praising that past age which our fathers abused, and as constantly abusing that present age, which our children will praise. Charles Caleb Colton father children past Mystery magnifies danger as the fog the sun. Charles Caleb Colton fog mystery sun
