69 quotes
Many a man may thank his talent for his rank, but no man has ever been able to return the compliment by thanking his rank for his talent.
Lacon (1820)
Time,— that black and narrow isthmus between two eternities.
From the preponderance of talent, we may always infer the soundness and vigour of the commonwealth; but from the preponderance of riches, its dotage and degeneration.
Lacon (1820)
"Defendit numerus," is the maxim of the foolish; "Deperdit numerus," of the wise. The fact is, that an honest man will continue to be so, though surrounded on all sides by rogues.
Lacon (1820)
It is always safe to learn, even from our enemies, seldom safe to venture to instruct, even our friends.
Lacon (1820)
He that will believe only what he can fully comprehend, must have a very long head, or a very short creed.
True friendship is like sound health; the value of it is seldom known until it be lost.
Lacon (1820)
Kings and their subjects, masters and slaves, find a common level in two places — at the foot of the cross, and in the grave.
Marriage is a feast where the grace is sometimes better than the dinner.
Lacon (1820)
Imitation is the sincerest of flattery.
Lacon (1820)
Pedantry crams our heads with learned lumber, and takes out our brains to make room for it.
Lacon (1820)
The two most precious things this side the grave are our reputation and our life.
Discretion has been termed the better part of valour, and it is more certain, that diffidence is the better part of knowledge.
Lacon (1820)
Death is like thunder in two particulars; we are alarmed at the sound of it; and it is formidable only from that which preceded it.
Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895)
Many books require no thought from those who read them, and for a very simple reason; they made no such demand upon those who wrote them.
Lacon (1820)
No disorders have employed so many quacks, as those that have no cure; and no sciences have exercised so many quills, as those that have no certainty.
Instead of exhibiting talent in the hope that the world would forgive their eccentricities, they have exhibited only their eccentricities, in the hope that the world would give them credit for talent.
Lacon (1820)
Of all the passions, jealousy is that which exacts the hardest service and pays the bitterest wages. Its service is to watch the success of our enemies; its wages to be sure of it.
Lacon (1825)
Most of our misfortunes are more supportable than the comments of our friends upon them.
True contentment depends not upon what we have; a tub was large enough for Diogenes, but a world was too little for Alexander.