Book of Wise Sayings | Page 9

the spirited and brilliant sally. There
is the low joke which arises from scurrility and idle conceit.
Goldoni.
164.
The woman who is resolved to be respected can make herself be so

even amidst an army of soldiers.
Cervantes.
165.
Petty ambition would seem to be a mean craving after distinction.
Theophrastus.
166.
It is an old observation that wise men grow usually wiser as they grow
older, and fools more foolish.
Wieland.
167.
Use law and physic only for necessity. They that use them otherwise
abuse themselves into weak bodies and light purses. They are good
remedies, bad businesses, and worse recreations.
Quarles.
168.
In some dispositions there is such an envious kind of pride that they
cannot endure that any but themselves should be set forth as excellent;
so that when they hear one justly praised they will either openly detract
from his virtues; or, if those virtues be, like a clear and shining light,
eminent and distinguished, so that he cannot be safely traduced by the
tongue, they will then raise a suspicion against him by a mysterious
silence, as if there were something remaining to be told which
overclouded even his brightest glory.
Feltham.
169.

Every man thinks with himself, I am well, I am wise, and laughs at
others; and 'tis a general fault amongst them all, that which our
forefathers approved--diet, apparel, humours, customs, manners--we
deride and reject in our time as absurd.
Burton.
170.
Repeated sin destroys the understanding And he whose reason is
impaired repeats His sins. The constant practising of virtue Strengthens
the mental faculties, and he Whose judgment stronger grows acts
always right.
Mahábhárata.
171.
If you wish to know how much preferable wisdom is to gold, then
observe: if you change gold you get silver for it, but your gold is gone;
but if you exchange one sort of wisdom for another, you obtain fresh
knowledge, and at the same time keep what you possessed before.
Talmud.
172.
The man who listens not to the words of affectionate friends will give
joy in the time of distress to his enemies.
Hitopadesa.
173.
It is a proverbial expression that every man is the maker of his own
fortune, and we usually regard it as implying that every man by his
folly or wisdom prepares good or evil for himself. But we may view it
in another light, namely, that we may so accommodate ourselves to the
dispositions of Providence as to be happy in our lot, whatever may be

its privations.
Von Humboldt.
174.
Be very circumspect in the choice of thy company. In the society of thy
equals thou shalt enjoy more pleasure; in the society of thy superiors
thou shalt find more profit. To be the best of the company is the way to
grow worse; the best means to grow better is to be the worst there.
Quarles.
175.
Assume in adversity a countenance of prosperity, and in prosperity
moderate thy temper.
Livy.
176.
Mark this! who lives beyond his means Forfeits respect, loses his sense;
Where'er he goes, through the seven births, All count him knave: him
women hate.
Hindu Poetess.
177.
Be cautious in your intercourse with the great; they seldom confer
obligations on their inferiors but from interested motives. Friendly they
appear as long as it serves their turn, but they will render no assistance
in time of actual need.
Talmud.
178.

Man, though he be gray-headed when he comes back, soon gets a
young wife. But a woman's time is short within which she can expect to
obtain a husband. If she allows it to slip away, no one cares to marry
her. She sits at home, speculating on the probability of her marriage.
Aristophanes.
179.
Hearts are like tapers, which at beauteous eyes Kindle a flame of love
that never dies; And beauty is a flame, where hearts, like moths, Offer
themselves a burning sacrifice.
Omar Khayyám.
180.
When thou utterest not a word thou hast laid thy hand upon it; when
thou hast uttered it, it hath laid its hand on thee.
Sa'dí.
181.
To the tongue which bringeth thee words without reason, the answer
that best beseemeth thee is--silence.
Nizámí.
182.
The man who talketh much and never acteth will not be held in
reputation by anyone.
Firdausí.
183.
Two sources of success are known: wisdom and effort; make them both

thine own, if thou wouldst haply rise.
Mágha.
184.
The worse the ill that fate on noble souls Inflicts, the more their
firmness; and they arm Their spirits with adamant to meet the blow.
Hindu Drama.
185.
Opportunities lose not, for all delay is madness; 'Mid bitter sorrow
patience show, for 'tis the key of gladness.
Turkish.
186.
Man is the only animal with the powers of laughter, a privilege which
was not bestowed