A full-dressed ecclesiastic is a sort of go-cart of divinity; an ethical automaton. A clerical prig is, in general, a very dangerous as well as contemptible character. The utmost that those who thus habitually confound their opinions and sentiments with the outside coverings of their bodies can aspire to, is a negative and neutral character, like wax-work figures, where the dress is done as much to the life as the man, and where both are respectable pieces of pasteboard, or harmless compositions of fleecy hosiery. |
A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles. |
A grave blockhead should always go about with a lively one -- they show one another off to the best advantage. |
A great chess-player is not a great man, for he leaves the world as he found it. No act terminating in itself constitutes greatness. This will apply to all displays of power or trials of skill, which are confined to the momentary, individual effort, and construct no permanent image or trophy of themselves without them. |
A great mind is one that can forget or look beyond itself. |
A hair in the head is worth two in the brush. |
A hypocrite despises those whom he deceives, but has no respect for himself. He would make a dupe of himself too, if he could. |
A man knows his companion in a long journey and a little inn. |
A man must make his choice not only between virtue and vice, but between different virtues. |
A man's look is the work of years; it is stamped on his countenance by the events of his whole life, nay, more by the hand of nature, and it is not to be got rid of easily. |
A nickname is the hardest stone that the devil can throw at a man |
A nickname is the heaviest stone that the devil can throw at a man. It is a bugbear to the imagination, and, though we do not believe in it, it still haunts our apprehensions. |
A person may be indebted for a nose or an eye, for a graceful carriage or a voluble discourse, to a great-aunt or uncle, whose existence he has scarcely heard of. |
A scholar is like a book written in a dead language. It is not every one that can read in it. |
A strong passion for any object will ensure success, for the desire of the end will point out the means |