That an author's work is the mirror of his mind is a position that has led to very false conclusions. If Satan himself were to write a book it would be in praise of virtue, because the good would purchase it for use, and the bad for ostentation. Charles Caleb Colton More Quotes by Charles Caleb Colton More Quotes From Charles Caleb Colton It is in the middle classes of society that all the finest feeling, and the most amiable propensities of our nature do principally nourish and abound. For the good opinion of our fellow-men is the strongest though not the purest motive to virtue. The privations of poverty render us too cold and callous, and the privileges of property too arrogant and confidential, to feel; the first places us beneath the influence of opinion--the second, above it. Charles Caleb Colton feelings class men As we ascend in society, like those who climb a mountain, we shall find that the line of perpetual congelation commences with the higher circles; and the nearer we approach to the grand luminary the court, the more frigidity and apathy shall we experience. Charles Caleb Colton mountain circles society Sleep, the type of death, is also, like that which it typifies, restricted to the earth. It flies from hell and is excluded from heaven. Charles Caleb Colton earth sleep heaven The most ridiculous of all animals is a proud priest; he cannot use his own tools without cutting his own fingers. Charles Caleb Colton cutting pride animal I have found by experience that they who have spent all their lives in cities, improve their talents but impair their virtues; and strengthen their minds but weaken their morals. Charles Caleb Colton moral cities mind The press is the foe of rhetoric, but the friend of reason. Charles Caleb Colton foe rhetoric reason The upright, if he suffer calumny to move him, fears the tongue of man more than the eye of God. Charles Caleb Colton eye men moving Calumny crosses oceans, scales mountains and traverses deserts, with greater ease than the Scythian Abaris, and like him, rides upon a poisoned arrow. Charles Caleb Colton mountain arrows ocean It is more easy to forgive the weak who have injured us than the powerful whom we have injured. Charles Caleb Colton forgiving powerful easy There is more jealousy between rival wits than rival beauties, for vanity has no sex. But in both cases there must be pretensions, or there will be no jealousy. Charles Caleb Colton rivals vanity sex Time, the cradle of hope, but the grave of ambition, is the stern corrector of fools, but the salutary counselor of the wise, bringing all they dread to the one, and all they desire to the other. Charles Caleb Colton ambition wise time Time is the most subtle yet the most insatiable of depredators, and by appearing to take nothing is permitted to take all; nor can it be satisfied until it has stolen the world from us, and us from the world. It constantly flies, yet overcomes all things by flight; and although it is the present ally, it will be the future conqueror of death. Charles Caleb Colton allies overcoming time Those who have finished by making all others think with them, have usually been those who began by daring to think with themselves. Charles Caleb Colton daring finished thinking Is there anything more tedious than the often repeated tales of the old and forgetful? Charles Caleb Colton forgetful tedious tales It has been said that men carry on a kind of coasting trade with religion. In the voyage of life, they profess to be in search of heaven, but take care not to venture so far in their approximations to it, as entirely to lose sight of the earth; and should their frail vessel be in danger of shipwreck, they will gladly throw their darling vices overboard, as other mariners their treasures, only to fish them up again when the storm is over. Charles Caleb Colton sight men heaven There are prating coxcombs in the world who would rather talk than listen, although Shakespeare himself were the orator, and human nature the theme! Charles Caleb Colton human-nature talking world It has been well observed that the tongue discovers the state of the mind no less than that of the body; but in either case, before the philosopher or the physician can judge, the patient must open his mouth. Charles Caleb Colton judging mind talking Corruption is like a ball of snow, once it's set a rolling it must increase. Charles Caleb Colton moral-corruption rolling-along snow Reform is a good replete with paradox; it is a cathartic which our political quacks, like our medical, recommend to others, but will not take themselves; it is admired by all who cannot effect it, and abused by all who can; it is thought pregnant with danger, for all time that is present, but would have been extremely profitable for that which is past, and will be highly salutary for that which is to come. Charles Caleb Colton reform political past Butler compared the tongues of these eternal talkers to race-horses, which go the faster the less weight they carry. Charles Caleb Colton horse race talking
