Light, whether it be material or moral, is the best reformer.
CHARLES CALEB COLTONLight, whether it be material or moral, is the best reformer.
CHARLES CALEB COLTONMystery magnifies danger as the fog the sun.
CHARLES CALEB COLTONA harmless hilarity and a buoyant cheerfulness are not infrequent concomitants of genius; and we are never more deceived than when we mistake gravity for greatness, solemnity for science, and pomposity for erudition.
CHARLES CALEB COLTONIt may be observed of good writing, as of good blood, that it is much easier to say what it is composed of than to compose it.
CHARLES CALEB COLTONTo admit that there is any such thing as chance, in the common acceptation of the term, would be to attempt to establish a power independent of God.
CHARLES CALEB COLTONHe that places himself neither higher nor lower than he ought to do exercises the truest humility.
CHARLES CALEB COLTONThere is this difference between happiness and wisdom; he that thinks himself the happiest man, really is so; but he that thinks himself the wisest, is generally the greatest fool.
CHARLES CALEB COLTONWomen that are the least bashful are often the most modest.
CHARLES CALEB COLTONAs the gout seems privileged to attack the bodies of the wealthy, so ennui seems to exert a similar prerogative over their minds.
CHARLES CALEB COLTONThe 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 COLTONTo dare to live alone is the rarest courage; since there are many who had rather meet their bitterest enemy in the field, than their own hearts in their closet.
CHARLES CALEB COLTONSturdy beggars can bear stout denials.
CHARLES CALEB COLTONOppression cannot prosper where none will submit to be enslaved.
CHARLES CALEB COLTONIt is doubtful whether mankind are most indebted to those who like Bacon and Butler dig the gold from the mine of literature, or to those who, like Paley, purify it, stamp it, fix its real value, and give it currency and utility.
CHARLES CALEB COLTONWhen you have nothing to say, say nothing.
CHARLES CALEB COLTONAs no roads are so rough as those that have just been mended, so no sinners are so intolerant as those that have just turned saints.
CHARLES CALEB COLTON