Perfection is immutable. But for things imperfect change is the way to perfect them. It gets the name of wilfulness when it will not admit of a lawful change to the better. Therefore constancy without knowledge cannot be always good. In things ill it is not virtue, but an absolute vice.

Owen Feltham

Categorized in : Names Perfection Change

Meditation is the soul's perspective glass.

Owen Feltham

perspective greatness glasses

It is much safer to reconcile an enemy than to conquer him; victory may deprive him of his poison, but reconciliation of his will.

Owen Feltham

victory poison enemy

The greatest results in life are usually attained by simple means and the exercise of ordinary qualities. These may for the most part be summed up in these two - common sense and perseverance.

Owen Feltham

perseverance business motivational

Business is the salt of life, which not only gives a grateful smack to it, but dries up those crudities that would offend, preserves from putrefaction and drives off all those blowing flies that would corrupt it.

Owen Feltham

grateful business giving

Fear, if it be not immoderate, puts a guard about us that does watch and defend us; but credulity keeps us naked, and lays us open to all the sly assaults of ill-intending men: it was a virtue when man was in his innocence; but since his fall, it abuses those that own it.

Owen Feltham

abuse men fall

To go to law is for two persons to kindle a fire, at their own cost, to warm others and singe themselves to cinders; and because they cannot agree as to what is truth and equity, they will both agree to unplume themselves that others may be decorated with their feathers.

Owen Feltham

fire law two

By gaming we lose both our time and treasure - two things most precious to the life of man.

Owen Feltham

gambling men two

To trust God when we have securities in our iron chest is easy, but not thankworthy; but to depend on him for what we cannot see, as it is more hard for man to do, so it is more acceptable to God.

Owen Feltham

trust-in-god iron men

It is rare to see a rich man religious; for religion preaches restraint, and riches prompt to unlicensed freedom.

Owen Feltham

religious men religion

Some are so uncharitable as to think all women bad, and others are so credulous as to believe they are all good. All will grant her corporeal frame more wonderful and more beautiful than man's. And can we think God would put a worse soul into a better body?

Owen Feltham

women beautiful believe

Contemplation is necessary to generate an object, but action must propagate it.

Owen Feltham

contemplation deeds action

He that despairs degrades the Deity, and seems to intimate that He is insufficient, or not just to His word; and in vain hath read the scriptures, the world, and man.

Owen Feltham

scripture despair men

Time is like a ship which never anchors; while I am on board, I had better do those things that may profit me at my landing, than practice such as shall cause my commitment when I come ashore.

Owen Feltham

anchors time commitment

If ever I should affect injustice, it would be in this, that I might do courtesies and receive none.

Owen Feltham

injustice would-be might

God has made no one absolute.

Owen Feltham

absolutes made

Reason and right give the quickest despatch.

Owen Feltham

reason giving

Discontents are sometimes the better part of our life. I know not well which is the most useful; joy I may choose for pleasure, but adversities are the best for profit; and sometimes those do so far help me, as I should, without them, want much of the joy I have.

Owen Feltham

adversity may joy

I love the man that is modestly valiant; that stirs not till he most needs, and then to purpose. A continued patience I commend not.

Owen Feltham

purpose men needs

Praise has different effects, according to the mind it meets with; it makes a wise man modest, but a fool more arrogant, turning his weak brain giddy.

Owen Feltham

thanksgiving wise inspirational

Perfection is immutable. But for things imperfect, change is the way to perfect them.

Owen Feltham

imperfect-things change perfection