Our test of truth is a reference to either a present or imagined future majority in favour of our view. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. More Quotes by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. More Quotes From Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. The preacher's garment is cut according to the pattern of that of the hearers, for the most part. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. patternscuttinghypocrisy There is nothing earthly that lasts so well, as money. A man's learning dies with him, as does his virtues fade out of remembrance, but the dividends on the stocks he bequeaths to his children live and keep his memory green. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. moneymemorieschildren Nothing can be so perfect while we possess it as it will seem when remembered. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. recollectionperfectmemories It is perfectly easy to be original by violating the laws of decency and the canons of good taste. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. tastelaweasy Men are idolaters, and want something to look at and kiss and hug, or throw themselves down before; they always did, they always will; and if you don't make it of wood, you must make it of words. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. want-somethingkissingmen To be forgotten is to sleep in peace with the undisturbed myriads, no longer subject to the chills and heats, the blasts, the sleet, the dust, which assail in endless succession that shadow of a man which we call his reputation. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. failuresleepmen To rest upon a formula is a slumber that, prolonged, means death. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. dyingmeandeath I should like to see any kind of man, distinguishable from a gorilla, that some good and even pretty woman could not shape a husband out of. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. pretty-womanhusbandmen Most people have died before they expire; died to all earthly longings, so that the last breath is only, as it were, the locking of the door of the already deserted mansion. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. doorsdeathpeople There is in all men a demand for the superlative, so much so that the poor devil that has no other way of reaching it attains it by getting drunk. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. drunkdevilmen Old age is like an opium dream. Nothing seems real except the unreal. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. realagedream Men, like peaches and pears, grow sweet a little while before they begin to decay. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. agesweetmen Even for practical purposes theory generally turns out the most important thing in the end. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. importantpurposeends It seems to me that at this time we need education in the obvious more than investigation of the obscure. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. investigationobscureneeds People talk fundamentals and superlatives and then make some changes of detail. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. detailschangepeople Anytime you see a Hungarian, kick him. He'll know why. Any two philosophers can tell each other all they know in two hours. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. philosopherhourstwo Life, not the parson, teaches conduct. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. teachexperience Certainty generally is illusion, and repose is not the destiny of man. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. destinylearningmen But I have long thought that if you knew a column of advertisements by heart, you could achieve unexpected felicities with them. You can get a happy quotation anywhere if you have the eye. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. eyeheartlong What a new face courage puts on everything. - Ralph Waldo Emerson To be seventy years young is sometimes far more cheerful and hopeful than to be forty years old. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. hopefulwisdomyears
