Charles Caleb Colton quotes - page 2

When you have nothing to say, say nothing. (Charles Caleb Colton)
Times of great calamity and confusion have been productive for the greatest minds. The purest ore is produced from the hottest furnace. The brightest thunder-bolt is elicited from the darkest storm. View quote
Charles Caleb Colton
The study of mathematics, like the Nile, begins in minuteness but ends in magnificence. View quote
Charles Caleb Colton
Discretion has been termed the better part of valour, and it is more certain, that diffidence is the better part of knowledge. View quote
Charles Caleb Colton
None are so fond of secrets as those who do not mean to keep them; such persons covet secrets as a spendthrift covets money, for the purpose of circulation. View quote
Charles Caleb Colton
True contentment depends not upon what we have; a tub was large enough for Diogenes, but a world was too little for Alexander. View quote
Charles Caleb Colton
Instead of exhibiting talent in the hope that the world would forgive their eccentricities, they have exhibited only their eccentricities, in the hope that the world would give them credit for talent. View quote
Charles Caleb Colton
With the offspring of genius, the law of parturition is reversed; the throes are in the conception, the pleasure in the birth. View quote
Charles Caleb Colton
Many a man may thank his talent for his rank, but no man has ever been able to return the compliment by thanking his rank for his talent. View quote
Charles Caleb Colton
We should have a glorious conflagration, if all who cannot put fire into their works would only consent to put their works into the fire. View quote
Charles Caleb Colton
He that sympathizes in all the happiness of others, perhaps himself enjoys the safest happiness. (Charles Caleb Colton)
From the preponderance of talent, we may always infer the soundness and vigour of the commonwealth; but from the preponderance of riches, its dotage and degeneration. View quote
Charles Caleb Colton
If we steal thoughts from the moderns, it will be cried down as plagiarism; if from the ancients, it will be cried up as erudition. View quote
Charles Caleb Colton
The greatest friend of truth is Time, her greatest enemy is Prejudice, and her constant companion is Humility. View quote
Charles Caleb Colton
There are two way of establishing a reputation, one to be praised by honest people and the other to be accused by rogues. It is best, however, to secure the first one, because it will always be accompanied by the latter. View quote
Charles Caleb Colton
To know a man, observe how he wins his object, rather than how he loses it; for when we fail, our pride supports us - when we succeed, it betrays us. View quote
Charles Caleb Colton
With books, as with companions, it is of more consequence to know which to avoid, than which to choose; for good books are as scarce as good companions. View quote
Charles Caleb Colton
Pedantry crams our heads with learned lumber, and takes out our brains to make room for it. View quote
Charles Caleb Colton
Pedantry prides herself on being wrong by rules; while common sense is contented to be right, without them. View quote
Charles Caleb Colton
Drunkenness is the vice of a good constitution or of a bad memory-of a constitution so treacherously good that it never bends till it breaks; or of a memory that recollects the pleasures of getting intoxicated, but forgets the pains of getting sober. View quote
Charles Caleb Colton
If we can advance propositions both true and new, these are our own by right of discovery and if we can repeat what is old, more briefly and brightly than others, this also Becomes our own, by right of conquest. (Charles Caleb Colton)
The mistakes of the fool are known to the world, but not to himself. The mistakes of the wise man are known to himself, but not to the world. View quote
Charles Caleb Colton
Ladies of Fashion starve their happiness to feed their vanity, and their love to feed their pride. View quote
Charles Caleb Colton
Men's arguments often prove nothing but their wishes. View quote
Charles Caleb Colton
Silence is foolish if we are wise, but wise if we are foolish. View quote
Charles Caleb Colton