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 There are truths which some men despise because they have not examined, and which they will not examine because they despise. There is one signal instance on record where this kind of prejudice was overcome by a miracle; but the age of miracles is past, while that of prejudice remains. Charles Caleb Colton miraclemenpast As a man of pleasure, by a vain attempt to be more happy than any man can be, is often more miserable than most men are, so the sceptic, in a vain attempt to be wise beyond what is permitted to man, plunges into a darkness more deplorable, and a blindness more incurable than that of the common herd, whom he despises, and would fain instruct. Charles Caleb Colton darknesswisemen In death itself there can be nothing terrible, for the act of death annihilates sensation; but there are many roads to death, and some of them justly formidable, even to the bravest. Charles Caleb Colton sensationsformidableterrible Men of great and shining qualities do not always succeed in life, but the fault lies more often in themselves than in others. Charles Caleb Colton shiningmenlying Princes rule the people, and their own passions rule Princes; but Providence can over-rule the whole, and draw the instruments of his inscrutable purposes from the vices, no less than the virtues of Kings. Charles Caleb Colton passionkingspeople We injure mysteries, which are matters of faith by any attempt at explanation in order to make them matters of reason. Charles Caleb Colton mysterymatterorder Very great personages are not likely to form very just estimates either of others or of themselves; their knowledge of themselves is obscured by the flattery of others; their knowledge of others is equally clouded by circumstances peculiar to themselves. For in the presence of the great, the modest are sure to suffer from too much diffidence, and the confident from too much display. Charles Caleb Colton peculiarsufferingcharacter Nobility is a river that sets with a constant and undeviating current, directly into the great Pacific Ocean of Time; but, unlike all other rivers, it is more grand at its source, than at its termination. Charles Caleb Colton sourceoceanrivers It was observed of Elizabeth that she was weak herself, but chose wise counsellors; to which it was replied, that to choose wise counsellors was, in a prince, the highest wisdom. Charles Caleb Colton weakwisecharacter You cannot separate charity and religion. Charles Caleb Colton charity If there be a pleasure on earth which angels cannot enjoy, and which they might almost envy man the possession of, it is the power of relieving distress--if there be a pain which devils might pity man for enduring, it is the death-bed reflection that we have possessed the power of doing good, but that we have abused and perverted it to purposes of ill. Charles Caleb Colton painangelreflection By privileges, immunities, or prerogatives to give unlimited swing to the passions of individuals, and then to hope that they will restrain them, is about as reasonable as to expect that the tiger will spare the hart to browse upon the herbage. Charles Caleb Colton swingspassiongiving There is not a little generalship and stratagem required in the managing and marshalling of our pleasures, so that each shall not mutually encroach to the destruction of all. For pleasures are very voracious, too apt to worry one another, and each, like Aaron's serpent, is prone to swallow up the rest. Thus drinking will soon destroy the power, gaming the means, and sensuality the taste, for other pleasures less seductive, but far more salubrious, and permanent as they are pure. Charles Caleb Colton drinkingworrymean Hannibal knew better how to conquer than how to profit by the conquest; and Napoleon was more skilful in taking positions than in maintaining them. As to reverses, no general cart presume to say that he may not be defeated; but he can, and ought to say, that he will not be surprised. Charles Caleb Colton maintainingconquermay Courage is like the diamond,--very brilliant; not changed by fire, capable of high polish, but except for the purpose of cutting hard bodies useless. Charles Caleb Colton cuttingfirecourage Unity of opinion is indeed a glorious and desirable thing, and its circle cannot be too strong and extended, if the centre be truth; but if the centre be error, the greater the circumference, the greater the evil. Charles Caleb Colton circleserrorsstrong Where thou perceivest knowledge, bend the ear of attention and respect; But yield not further to the teaching, than as thy mind is warranted by reasons. Better is an obstinant disputant, that yieldeth inch by inch, Than the shallow traitor to himself, who surrendereth to half an argument. Charles Caleb Colton yieldteachingknowledge Worldly wisdom dictates to her disciples the propriety of dressing somewhat beyond their means, but of living somewhat within them. Charles Caleb Colton proprietydisciplemean Love is a volcano, the crater of which no wise man will approach too nearly, lest ... he should be swallowed up. Charles Caleb Colton wiselovemen Love, like the cold bath, is never negative, it seldom leaves us where it finds us; if once we plunge into it, it will either heighten our virtues, or inflame our vices. Charles Caleb Colton viceslovenegative
