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 The pride of ancestry is a superstructure of the most imposing height, but resting on the most flimsy foundation. It is ridiculous enough to observe the hauteur with which the old nobility look down on the new. The reason of this puzzled me a little, until I began to reflect that most titles are respectable only because they are old; if new, they would be despised, because all those who now admire the grandeur of the stream would see nothing but the impurity of the source. Charles Caleb Colton titles foundation pride It is with antiquity as with ancestry, nations are proud of the one, and individuals of the other; but if they are nothing in themselves, that which is their pride ought to be their humiliation. Charles Caleb Colton ancestry proud pride We make a goddess of Fortune ... and place her in the highest heaven. But it is not fortune that is exalted and powerful, but we ourselves that are abject and weak. Charles Caleb Colton goddess powerful heaven It has been shrewdly said, that when, men abuse us we should suspect ourselves, and when they praise us, them. It is a rare instance of virtue to despise which censure which we do not deserve; and still more rare to despise praise which we do. Charles Caleb Colton abuse praise men He that dies a martyr proves that he was not a knave, but by no means that he was not a fool. Charles Caleb Colton knaves atheism mean The truly great consider, first, how they may gain the approbation of God, and, secondly, that of their own conscience. Having done this, they would then willingly conciliate the good opinion of their fellow-men. But the truly little reverse the thing. The primary object with them is to secure the applause of their fellow-men; and having effected this, the approbation of God and their own conscience may follow on as they can. Charles Caleb Colton atheism done men God will excuse our prayers for ourselves whenever we are prevented from them by being occupied in such good works as to entitle us to the prayers of others. Charles Caleb Colton good-work excuse prayer As there are none so weak that we may venture to injure them with impunity, so there are none so low that they may not at some time be able to repay an obligation. Therefore, what benevolence would dictate, prudence would confirm. Charles Caleb Colton venture able may Sturdy beggars can bear stout denials. Charles Caleb Colton stout denial bears Women who are the least bashful are not unfrequently the most modest; and we are never more deceived than when we would infer any laxity of principle from that freedom of demeanor which often arises from a total ignorance of vice. Charles Caleb Colton vices ignorance principles Avarice begets more vices than Priam did children and like Priam survives them all. It starves its keeper to surfeit those who wish him dead, and makes him submit to more mortifications to lose heaven than the martyr undergoes to gain it. Charles Caleb Colton wish heaven children There are both dull correctness and piquant carelessness; it is needless to say which will command the most readers and have the most influence. Charles Caleb Colton authorship influence dull That author, however, who has thought more than he has read, read more than he has written, and written more than he has published, if he does not command success, has at least deserved it. Charles Caleb Colton command authorship doe Subtract from many modern poets all that may be found in Shakespeare, and trash will remain. Charles Caleb Colton modern poet may Living authors, therefore, are usually, bad companions. If they have not gained character, they seek to do so by methods often ridiculous, always disgusting; and if they have established a character, they are silent for fear of losing by their tongue what they have acquired by their pen--for many authors converse much more foolishly than Goldsmith, who have never written half so well. Charles Caleb Colton tongue half character For all the practical purposes of life, truth might as well be in a prison as in the folio of a schoolman; and those who release her from her cobwebbed shelf and teach her to live with men have the merit of liberating, if not of discovering, her. Charles Caleb Colton purpose might men Make the most of the day, by determining to spend it on two sorts of acquaintances only--those by whom something may be got, and those from whom something may be learned. Charles Caleb Colton acquaintance may two When all moves equally (says Pascal), nothing seems to move as in a vessel under sail; and when all run by common consent into vice, none appear to do so. He that stops first, views as from a fixed point the horrible extravagance that transports the rest. Charles Caleb Colton views running moving Love may exist without jealousy, although this is rare: but jealousy may exist without love, and this is common; for jealousy can feed on that which is bitter no less than on that which is sweet, and is sustained by pride as often as by affection. Charles Caleb Colton jealousy pride sweet The moral cement of all society is virtue; it unites and preserves, while vice separates and destroys. Charles Caleb Colton moral virtue vices
