TuesdayFeb 24, 2026
Quotes: 53419 Authors: 9969
To be good, we must do good; and by doing good we take a sure means of being good, as the use and exercise of the muscles increase their power.
People never improve unless they look to some standard or example higher or better than themselves.
Piety and morality are but the same spirit differently manifested. Piety is religion with its face toward God; morality is religion with its face toward the world.
This world is the land of the dying; the next is the land of the living.
There is often as much independence in not being led, as in not being driven.
Any act often repeated soon forms a habit; and habit allowed, steadily gains in strength. At first it may be but as the spider's web, easily broken through, but if not resisted it soon binds us with chains of steel.
Common sense is, of all kinds, the most uncommon. It implies good judgment, sound discretion, and true and practical wisdom applied to common life.
He that never changes his opinions, never corrects his mistakes, will never be wiser on the morrow than he is today.
We should be as careful of the books we read, as of the company we keep. The dead very often have more power than the living.
Deviation from either truth or duty is a downward path.
Science has sometimes been said to be opposed to faith, and inconsistent with it. But all science, in fact, rests on a basis of faith, for it assumes the permanence and uniformity of natural laws—a thing which can never be demonstrated.
He that is possessed with a prejudice is possessed with a devil, and one of the worst kinds of devils, for it shuts out the truth, and often leads to ruinous error.
Mystery is another name for our ignorance; if we were omniscient, all would be perfectly plain.
The great end of education is to discipline rather than to furnish the mind; to train it to the use of its own powers, rather than fill it with the accumulation of others.
Where duty is plain, delay is both foolish and hazardous; where it is not, delay may be both wisdom and safety.
Apothegms are the wisdom of the past condensed for the instruction and guidance of the present.
Anxiety is the rust of life, destroying its brightness and weakening its power. A childlike and abiding trust in Providence is its best preventive and remedy.
To rule one's anger is well; to prevent it is still better.
He who can suppress a moment's anger may prevent a day of sorrow.
Accuracy of statement is one of the first elements of truth; inaccuracy is a near kin to falsehood.
Between two evils, choose neither; between two goods, choose both.
To rule one's anger is well; to prevent it is better.
Words are both better and worse than thoughts, they express them, and add to them; they give them power for good or evil; they start them on an endless flight, for instruction and comfort and blessing, or for injury and sorrow and and ruin.
To waken interest and kindle enthusiasm is the sure way to teach easily and successfully.
Doubt, indulged and cherished, is in danger of becoming denial; but if honest, and bent on thorough investigation, it may soon lead to full establishment of the truth.
Where duty is plain delay is both foolish and hazardous; where it is not, delay may be both wisdom and safety.
Appreciation, whether of nature, or books, or art, or men, depends very much on temperament. What is beauty or genius or greatness to one, is far from being so to another.
If rich men would remember that shrouds have no pockets, they would, while living, share their wealth with their children, and give for the good of others, and so know the highest pleasure wealth can give.
Every parting is a form of death, As every reunion is a type of heaven.
Preventives of evil are far better than remedies; cheaper and easier of application, and surer in result.
Sincerity is no test of truth - no evidence of correctness of conduct. You may take poison sincerely believing it the needed medicine, but will it save your life?
To be good, we must do good; and by doing good we take azure means of being good, as the use and exercise of the muscles increase their power.
If you would thoroughly know anything, teach it to others.
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