In life, as in whist, hope nothing from the way cards may be dealt to you. Play the cards, whatever they be, to the best of your skill. Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton More Quotes by Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton More Quotes From Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton There is a world of science necessary in choosing books. I have known some people in great sorrow fly to a novel, or the last light book in fashion. One might as well take a rose-draught for the plague! Light reading does not do when the heart is really heavy. I am told that Goethe, when he lost his son, took to study a science that was new to him. Ah! Goethe was a physician who knew what he was about. Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton fashion reading book Of all the weaknesses little men rail against, there is none that they are more apt to ridicule than the tendency to believe. And of all the signs of a corrupt heart and a feeble head, the tendency of incredulity is the surest. Real philosophy seeks rather to solve than to deny. Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton real philosophy believe Love like Death,, Levels all ranks, and lays the shepherd's crook Beside the scepter Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton shepherds love death The haughty woman who can stand alone, and requires no leaning-place in our hearts, loses the spell of her sex. Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton pride heart sex In beginning the world, if you don't wish to get chafed at every turn, fold up your pride carefully, put it under lock and key, and only let it out to air upon grand occasions. Pride is a garment all stiff brocade outside, all grating sackcloth on the side next to the skin. Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton keys pride air Every street has two sides, the shady side and the sunny. When two men shake hands and part, mark which of the two takes the sunny side; he will be the younger man of the two. Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton two-sides men hands Childhood and genius have the same master organ in common - inquisitiveness. Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton childhood genius children We are born for a higher destiny than that of earth; there is a realm where the rainbow never fades, where the stars will be spread before us like islands that slumber on the ocean, and where the beings that pass before us like shadows will stay in our presence forever. Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton ocean stars death Genius, the Pythian of the beautiful, leaves its large truths a riddle to the dull. Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton genius beautiful dull The veil which covers the face of futurity is woven by the hand of mercy. Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton veils faces hands More bounteous run rivers when the ice that locked their flow melts into their waters. And when fine natures relent, their kindness is swelled by the thaw. Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton forgiveness kindness running When the world frowns, we can face it; but let it smile, and we are undone. Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton flattery faces world There is no tongue that flatters like a lover's; and yet, in the exaggeration of his feelings, flattery seems to him commonplace. Strange and prodigal exuberance, which soon exhausts itself by flowing! Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton tongue lovers feelings The curse of the great is ennui. Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton curse ennui We must remember how apt man is to extremes--rushing from credulity and weakness to suspicion and distrust. Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton rushing weakness men The desire of excellence is the necessary attribute of those who excel. We work little for a thing unless we wish for it. But we cannot of ourselves estimate the degree of our success in what we strive for; that task is left to others. With the desire for excellence comes, therefore, the desire for approbation. And this distinguishes intellectual excellence from moral excellence; for the latter has no necessity of human tribunal; it is more inclined to shrink from the public than to invite the public to be its judge. Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton excellence intellectual judging Bright and illustrious illusions! Who can blame, who laugh at the boy, who not admire and commend him, for that desire of a fame outlasting the Pyramids by which he insensibly learns to live in a life beyond the present, and nourish dreams of a good unattainable by the senses? Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton pyramids dream boys We lose the peace of years when we hunt after the rapture of moments. Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton inspirational peace years Every great man exhibits the talent of organization or construction, whether it be in a poem, a philosophical system, a policy, or a strategy. And without method there is no organization nor construction. Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton philosophical organization men Curse away! And let me tell thee, Beausant, a wise proverb The Arabs have,-"Curses are like young chickens, And still come home to roost." Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton like-you wise home
