THOUGHTS ON LIFE IN GENERAL
Cupid will cause men to do many things; so will cupidity.
* * *
I like economy too much as a virtue not to loathe it when it becomes a
vice.
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Many virtues, when carried too far, become vices.
* * *
Envy is a vice which does not pay. If you let your envy be apparent, you
advertise your failure.
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Nothing is less common than common-sense.
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Whenever you can, pay cash for what you buy. A bill owing is like port
wine--it generally improves by keeping.
* * *
There are people whose signature has no more significance at the end of
a letter of insults than it has value at the bottom of a cheque.
* * *
The hardest thing to do in life is to make a living dishonestly for any
length of time.
* * *
The harm that happens to others very seldom does us any good, and the
good that happens to them very seldom does us any harm. People who are
successful are neither envious, jealous, nor revengeful.
* * *
Very often a man says, 'I have made a fool of myself!' who should only
accuse his father.
* * *
A contract is a collection of clauses signed by two honourable persons
who take each other for scoundrels.
* * *
Many people make a noise for the simple reason that, like drums, they
are empty. Many others think themselves deep who are only hollow.
* * *
Never have anything to do with women in whose houses you never see a
man. You may say what you like, but I have heard many women admit that
the presence of a man adds a great deal of respectability to a house.
* * *
If you cannot prevent evil, try not to see it. What we do not know does
not hurt us.
* * *
A self-conscious man is sometimes one who is aware of his worth; a
conceited man is generally one who is not aware of his unworthiness.
* * *
Many a saint in a small provincial town is a devil of a dog in the
Metropolis. Life in small towns is like life in glass-houses. The fear
of the neighbour is the beginning of wisdom.
* * *
Great revolutions were not caused by great grievances or even great
sufferings, but by great injustices.
* * *
Revolutions, like new countries, are often started by somewhat
objectionable adventurers. When they have been successful, steady and
honest people come in.
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