Attempts at reform, when they fail, strengthen despotism, as he that struggles tightens those cords he does not succeed in breaking.
CHARLES CALEB COLTONSome read to think, these are rare; some to write, these are common; and some read to talk, and these form the great majority.
More Charles Caleb Colton Quotes
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Insults are engendered from vulgar minds, like toadstools from a dunghill.
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Silence is less injurious than a weak reply.
CHARLES CALEB COLTON -
There are prating coxcombs in the world who would rather talk than listen, although Shakespeare himself were the orator, and human nature the theme!
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Sometimes the greatest adversities turn out to be the greatest blessings.
CHARLES CALEB COLTON -
There is nothing more imprudent than excessive prudence.
CHARLES CALEB COLTON -
Justice to my readers compels me to admit that I write because I have nothing to do; justice to myself induces me to add that I will cease to write the moment I have nothing to say.
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He that has energy enough to root out a vice should go further, and try to plant a virtue in its place.
CHARLES CALEB COLTON -
There are three kinds of praise, that which we yield, that which we lend, and that which we pay. We yield it to the powerful from fear, we lend it to the weak from interest, and we pay it to the deserving from gratitude.
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Wit may do very well for a mistress, but I should prefer reason for a wife.
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Eloquence is the language of nature, and cannot be learned in the schools; but rhetoric is the creature of art, which he who feels least will most excel in.
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Make no enemies; he is insignificant indeed that can do thee no harm.
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He that has never known adversity is but half acquainted with others, or with himself.
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Our admiration of fine writing will always be in proportion to its real difficulty and its apparent ease.
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Hurry is the mark of a weak mind, dispatch of a strong one.
CHARLES CALEB COLTON -
The awkwardness and embarrassment which all feel on beginning to write, when they themselves are the theme, ought to serve as a hint to author’s that self is a subject they ought very rarely to descant upon.
CHARLES CALEB COLTON






