To understand the theory which underlies all things is not sufficient. Theory is but the preparation for practice. James Stephens More Quotes by James Stephens More Quotes From James Stephens Quietness is the beginning of virtue. To be silent is to be beautiful. Stars do not make a noise. James Stephens beginningsilentstarsbeautiful A sword, a spade, and a thought should never be allowed to rust. James Stephens swordneverthoughtrust If men understood domestic economy half as well as women do, then their political economy and their entire consequent statecraft would not be the futil muddle which it is. James Stephens womenpoliticalhalfmen A Leprecaun without a pot of gold is like a rose without perfume, a bird without a wing, or an inside without an outside. James Stephens perfumegoldrosebird God did not need any assistance, but man did; bitterly he wanted it, and the giving of such assistance was the proper business of a woman. James Stephens womanmanbusinessgod In that wide struggle which we call Progress, evil is always the aggressor and the vanquished, and it is right that this should be so, for without its onslaughts and depredations humanity might fall to a fat slumber upon its cornsacks and die snoring. James Stephens fatprogresshumanitystruggle To work is nothing; the king on his throne, the priest kneeling before the Holy Altar, all people in all places had to work, but no person at all need be a servant. James Stephens kingnothingworkpeople The inexorable compulsion of all things is towards health or destruction, life or death, and we hasten our joys or our woes to the logical extreme. It is urgent, therefore, that we be joyous if we wish to live. James Stephens livehealthlifedeath To ask questions can become the laziest and wobbliest occupation of a mind, but when you must yourself answer the problem that you have posed, you will meditate your question with care and frame it with precision. James Stephens yourselfyoucaremind Sleep is an excellent way of listening to an opera. James Stephens operalisteningsleepway A secret is a weapon and a friend. James Stephens weaponfriendsecret By having much, you are fitted to have more. James Stephens havingmuchmoreyou Chaos is the first condition. Order is the first law. Continuity is the first reflection. Quietude is the first happiness. James Stephens chaosreflectionlawhappiness Women are stronger than men - they do not die of wisdom. James Stephens diewomenwisdommen We are washed both on coming into the world and on going out of it, and we take no pleasure from the first washing nor any profit from the last. James Stephens lastprofitpleasureworld
