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Our knowledge of human nature is for the most part empirical; and it would often be better, if, instead of endeavouring to say some new things ourselves, we were to confirm without more words the sayings of another.

— Arthur Helps Thoughts in the Cloister and the Crowd (1835)

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More quotes by Arthur Helps

Do not mistake energy for enthusiasm; the softest speakers are often the most enthusiastic of men.

Thoughts in the Cloister and the Crowd (1835)

There is hardly a more common error than that of taking the man who has one talent, for a genius.

Thoughts in the Cloister and the Crowd (1835)

Friendship is often outgrown; and his former child’s clothes will no more fit a man than some of his former friendships.

The most enthusiastic man in a cause is rarely chosen as the leader.

Thoughts in the Cloister and the Crowd (1835)

The greatest luxury of riches is that they enable you to escape so much good advice. The rich are always advising the poor; but the poor seldom return the compliment.

Brevia: Short Essays and Aphorisms (1871)

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