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If you want to gain any man's good opinion, take particular care how you behave the first time you are in company with him; the light you appear in at first, to one who is neither inclinable to think well nor ill of you, will strongly prejudice him either for or against you.

— James Burgh The Dignity of Human Nature (1754)

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More quotes by James Burgh

Do not think of knocking out another person's brains because he differs in opinion from you. It would be as rational to knock yourself on the head because you differ from yourself ten years ago.

The Dignity of Human Nature (1754)

The possession of arms is the distinction between a freeman and a slave.

Political Disquisitions (1774)

All lawful authority, legislative, and executive, originates from the people. Power in the people is like light in the sun: native, original, inherent, and unlimited by anything human.

Political Disquisitions (1774)

You need not tell all the truth, unless to those who have a right to know it all. But let all you tell be truth.

The Dignity of Human Nature (1754)

If you would not have affliction visit you twice, listen at once, and attentively, to what it teaches.

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Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: James Burgh (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.