Book of Wise Sayings

by W. A. Clouston

Available in 48 free installments

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La Fontaine.

427.

We magnify the wealthy man, though his parts be never so poor. The poor man we despise, be he never so well qualified. Gold is the coverlet of imperfections. It is the fool's curtain, which hides all his defects from the world.

Feltham.

428.

There is nothing more operative than sedulity and diligence. A man would wonder at the mighty things which have been done by degrees and gentle augmentations. Diligence and moderation are the best steps whereby to climb to any excellence, nay, it is rare that there is any other other way.

Feltham.

429.

In sooth, it is a shame to choose rather to be still borrowing in all places, from everybody, than to work and win.

Rabelais.

430.

Behaviour is a mirror in which every one shows his image.

Goethe.

431.

There is nothing more daring than ignorance.

Menander.

432.

It is not easy to stop the fire when the water is at a distance; friends at hand are better than relations afar off.

Chinese.

433.

The lustre of a virtuous character cannot be defaced, nor can the vices of a vicious man ever become lucid. A jewel preserves its lustre, though trodden in the mud, but a brass pot, though placed upon the head, is brass still.

Panchatantra.

434.

Noble birth is an accident of fortune, noble actions characterise the great.

Goldoni.

435.

Simplicity of character is the natural result of profound thought.

Hazlitt.

436.

When anyone is modest, not after praise, but after censure, then he is really so.

Richter.

437.

Experience has always shown, and reason shows, that affairs which depend on many seldom succeed.

Guicciardini.

438.

Give not thy tongue too great a liberty, lest it take thee prisoner. A word unspoken is like thy sword in thy scabbard; if vented, the sword is in another's hand.[23] If thou desire to be held wise, be so wise as to hold thy tongue.

Quarles.

[23] Cf. 221; also Metastasio:

Voce dal fuggita Poi richiamar non vale; Non si trattien lo strale Quando dall' arco uscì.

[The word that once escapes the tongue cannot be recalled; the arrow cannot be detained which has once sped from the bow.]

439.

The old lose one of the greatest privileges of man, for they are no longer judged by their contemporaries.

Goethe.

440.

When the man of a naturally good propensity has much wealth it injures his advancement in wisdom; when a worthless man has much wealth it increases his faults.

Chinese.

441.

In youth a man is deluded by other ideas than those which delude him in middle life, and again in his decay he embraces other ideas.

Mahábhárata.

442.

To consider, Is this man of our own or an alien? is a mark of little-minded persons; but the whole earth is of kin to the generous-hearted.[24]

Panchatantra.

[24] Cf. Luke, X, 29, ff.

443.

Skill in advising others is easily attained by men; but to practise righteousness themselves is what only a few can succeed in doing.

Hitopadesa.

444.

Hast thou not perfect excellence, 'tis best To keep thy tongue in silence, for 'tis this Which shames a man; as lightness does attest The nut is empty, nor of value is.

Sa'dí.

445.