Imitation is the sincerest of flattery.
CHARLES CALEB COLTONImitation is the sincerest of flattery.
CHARLES CALEB COLTONThere are two way of establishing a reputation, one to be praised by honest people and the other to be accused by rogues. It is best, however, to secure the first one, because it will always be accompanied by the latter.
CHARLES CALEB COLTONNo man can purchase his virtue too dear, for it is the only thing whose value must ever increase with the price it has cost us. Our integrity is never worth so much as when we have parted with our all to keep it.
CHARLES CALEB COLTONConstant success shows us but one side of the world. For as it surrounds us with friends who will tell us only our merits, so it silences those enemies from whom alone we can learn our defects.
CHARLES CALEB COLTONThe man of pleasure, by a vain attempt to be more happy than any man can be, is often more miserable than most men are.
CHARLES CALEB COLTONFalsehood is often rocked by truth, but she soon outgrows her cradle and discards her nurse.
CHARLES CALEB COLTONAs that gallant can best affect a pretended passion for one woman who has no true love for another, so he that has no real esteem for any of the virtues can best assume the appearance of them all.
CHARLES CALEB COLTONWhen you have nothing to say, say nothing; a weak defense strengthens your opponent, and silence is less injurious than a bad reply.
CHARLES CALEB COLTONHe that dies a martyr proves that he was not a knave, but by no means that he was not a fool.
CHARLES CALEB COLTONPleasure is to women what the sun is to the flower; if moderately enjoyed, it beautifies, it refreshes, and it improves; if immoderately, it withers, deteriorates and destroys.
CHARLES CALEB COLTONA man’s profundity may keep him from opening on a first interview, and his caution on a second; but I should suspect his emptiness, if he carried on his reserve to a third.
CHARLES CALEB COLTONWe may anticipate bliss, but who ever drank of that enchanted cup unalloved?
CHARLES CALEB COLTONMake no enemies; he is insignificant indeed that can do thee no harm.
CHARLES CALEB COLTONHe that is good will infallibly become better, and he that is bad will as certainly become worse; for vice, virtue, and time are three things that never stand still.
CHARLES CALEB COLTONLadies of Fashion starve their happiness to feed their vanity, and their love to feed their pride.
CHARLES CALEB COLTONWhat would you do if you knew for sure that no one would ever find out?
CHARLES CALEB COLTON