Charles Caleb Colton (1780 – 1832)
British author, clergyman, and art collector.
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.
Discretion has been termed the better part of valour, and it is more certain, that diffidence is the better part of knowledge.
Applause is the spur of noble minds, the end and aim of weak ones.
When you have nothing to say, say nothing; a weak defense strengthens your opponent, and silence is less injurious than a bad reply.
His ears, indeed, have had a very easy time of it, but their inactivity has been dearly purchased at the expense of his tongue.
Imitation is the sincerest of flattery.
If you would be known, and not know, vegetate in a village; If you would know, and not be known, live in a city.
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.
It is always safe to learn, even from our enemies, seldom safe to venture to instruct, even our friends.
Men will wrangle for religion, write for it, fight for it, die for it; anything but live for it.
It is almost as difficult to make a man unlearn his errors as his knowledge. Mal-information is more hopeless than non-information; for error is always more busy than ignorance. Ignorance is a blank sheet, on which we may write; but error is a scribbled one, on which we must first erase. Ignorance is contented to stand still with her back to the truth; but error is more presumptuous, and proceeds in the same direction. Ignorance has no light, but error follows a false one. The consequence is, that error, when she retraces her footsteps, has further to go, before she can arrive at the truth, than ignorance.
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.
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.
Pedantry prides herself on being wrong by rules; while common sense is contented to be right, without them.
He that sympathizes in all the happiness of others, perhaps himself enjoys the safest happiness.
Many ... begin to make converts from motives of charity, but continue to do so from motives of pride. … Charity is contented with exhortation and example, but pride is not to be so easily satisfied. ... Whenever we find ourselves more inclined to persecute than persuade, we may then be certain that our zeal has more of pride in it than of charity.
Examinations are formidable even to the best prepared, for the greatest fool may ask more than the wisest man can answer.
The debt which cancels all others.
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.
... put on the livery of the best master only to serve the worst.