Best Charles Caleb Colton Quotes

Great minds must be ready not only to take opportunities, but to make them.

There is nothing more imprudent than excessive prudence.

In all societies, it is advisable to associate if possible with the highest; not that the highest are always the best, but because, if disgusted there, we can descend at any time; but if we begin with the lowest, to ascend is impossible.

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.

The two most precious things this side of the grave are our reputation and our life. But it is to be lamented that the most contemptible whisper may deprive us of the one, and the weakest weapon of the other.

The consequences of things are not always proportionate to the apparent magnitude of those events that have produced them. Thus the American Revolution, from which little was expected, produced much; but the French Revolution, from which much was expected, produced little.

Many speak the truth when they say that they despise riches, but they mean the riches possessed by other men.

It is always safe to learn, even from our enemies; seldom safe to venture to instruct, even our friends.

He that knows himself, knows others; and he that is ignorant of himself, could not write a very profound lecture on other men's heads.

Silence is foolish if we are wise, but wise if we are foolish.

They that are loudest in their threats are the weakest in the execution of them. It is probable that he who is killed by lightning hears no noise; but the thunder-clap which follows, and which most alarms the ignorant, is the surest proof of their safety.

Men are born with two eyes, but with one tongue, in order that they should see twice as much as they say.

He that is good, will infallibly become better, and he that is bad, will as certainly become worse; for vice, virtue and time are three things that never stand still.

It is the briefest yet wisest maxim which tells us to meddle not.

Men's arguments often prove nothing but their wishes.

To look back to antiquity is one thing, to go back to it is another.

Patience is the support of weakness; impatience the ruin of strength

Philosophy is a bully that talks loud when the danger is at a distant; but, the moment she is pressed hard by an enemy, she is nowhere to be found and leaves the brunt of the battle to be fought by her steady, humble comrade, religion.

Pity is a thing often vowed, seldom felt; hatred is a thing often felt, seldom avowed.

To know the pains of power, we must go to those who have it; to know its pleasures, we must go to those who are seeking it. The pains of power are real; its pleasures imaginary.

Power will intoxicate the best hearts, as wine the strongest heads. No man is wise enough, nor good enough to be trusted with unlimited power.

No man is wise enough, or good enough to be trusted with unlimited power.

Of all the marvelous works of God, perhaps the one angels view with the most supreme astonishment, is a proud man.

There is this paradox in pride -- it makes some men ridiculous, but prevents others from becoming so.

When we fail our pride supports us and when we succeed, it betrays us.

To know a man, observe how he wins his object, rather than how he loses it; for when we fail, our pride supports; when we succeed; it betrays us.

He that thinks he is the happiest man, really is so. But he that thinks he is the wisest, is generally the greatest fool.

Justice to my readers compels me to admit that I write because I have nothing to do; justice to myself induces me to add that I will cease to write the moment I have nothing to say.

Next to acquiring good friends, the best acquisition is that of good books.

Books, like friends, should be few and well chosen. Like friends, too, we should return to them again and again for, like true friends, they will never fail us -- never cease to instruct -- never cloy.

Posthumous charities are the very essence of selfishness, when bequeathed by those who. when alive, would not have contributed.

Did universal charity prevail, earth would be a heaven, and hell a fable.

When millions applaud you seriously ask yourself what harm you have done; and when they disapprove you, what good.

Those that are the loudest in their threats are the weakest in their actions.

Repartee is perfect when it effects its purpose with a double edge. It is the highest order of wit, as it indicates the coolest yet quickest exercise of genius, at a moment when the passions are roused.

Reply to wit with gravity, and to gravity with wit.

Physical courage, which engages all danger, will make a person brave in one way; and moral courage, which defies all opinion, will make a person brave in another.

It is better to meet danger than to wait for it. He that is on a lee shore, and foresees a hurricane, stands out to sea and encounters a storm to avoid a shipwreck.

The society of dead authors has this advantage over that of the living: they never flatter us to our faces, nor slander us behind our backs, nor intrude upon our privacy, nor quit their shelves until we take them down.

To write what is worth publishing, to find honest people to publish it, and get sensible people to read it, are the three great difficulties in being an author.

Much may be done in those little shreds and patches of time, which every day produces, and which most men throw away, but which nevertheless will make at the end of it no small deduction for the life of man.

Time; that black and narrow isthmus between two eternities.

As no roads are so rough as those that have just been mended, so no sinners are so intolerant as those that have just turned saints.

If you would be known, and not know, vegetate in a village; if you would know, and not be known, live in a city.

Theories are private property, but truth is common stock.

The greatest friend of truth is Time, her greatest enemy is Prejudice, and her constant companion is Humility.

He that will believe only what he can fully comprehend must have a long head or a very short creed.

It is only when the rich are sick that they fully feel the impotence of wealth.

Wealth after all is a relative thing since he that has little and wants less is richer than he that has much and wants more.