They are the only honest hypocrites, their life is a voluntary dream, a studied madness. |
They are, as it were, train-bearers in the pageant of life, and hold a glass up to humanity, frailer than itself. We see ourselves at second-hand in them: they show us all that we are, all that we wish to be, and all that we dread to be. What brings the resemblance nearer is, that, as they imitate us, we, in our turn, imitate them. There is no class of society whom so many persons regard with affection as actors. |
Those are ever the most ready to do justice to others, who feel that the world has done them justice. |
Those only deserve a monument who do not need one |
Those people who are uncomfortable in themselves are disagreeable to others. |
Those who are at war with others are not at peace with themselves. |
Those who are fond of setting things to rights, have no great objection to seeing them wrong |
Those who can command themselves command others. |
Those who cannot miss an opportunity of saying a good thing . . . are not to be trusted with the management of any great question. |
Those who from a constant change and dissipation of outward objects have not a moment's leisure left for their own thoughts, can feel no respect for themselves, and learn little consideration for humanity. |
Those who have the largest hearts, have the soundest understandings; and he is the truest philosopher who can forget himself. |
Those who make their dress a principal part of themselves, will, in general, become of no more value than their dress. |
Those who speak ill of the spiritual life, Although they come and go by day, Are like the smith's bellows: They take breath but are not alive. |
Those who wish to forget painful thoughts, do well to absent themselves for a while from the ties and objects that recall them; but we can be said only to fulfil our destiny in the place that gave us birth. I should on this account like well enough to spend the whole of my life in travelling abroad, if I could anywhere borrow another life to spend afterwards at home! |
Though familiarity may not breed contempt, it takes the edge off admiration |