Great Throughts Treasury

"It is not enough for a careful man not to meddle with others, he must see that they do not meddle with him."

"It is wise to aim high so as to hit your mark."

"Nothing arouses ambition in the heart like the clarion-call of another's fame."

"Never talk of yourself. You must either praise yourself, which is vain, or blame yourself, which is small-minded."

"Never battle with a man who has nothing to lose, for then the conflict is unequal."

"Never stake your reputation on a single cast."

"Nothing really belongs to us but time, which even he has who has nothing else."

"One who was abhorred by all in prosperity is adored by all in adversity."

"Sometimes it proves the highest understanding not to understand."

"Self-reflection is the school of wisdom."

"Select the lucky and avoid the unlucky. Ill-luck is generally the penalty of folly, and there is no disease so contagious."

"The art of correcting scandal is to ignore it; to combat it prejudices your own case."

"The best remedy for disturbances is to let them run their course, for so they quiet down."

"Success rarely brings satisfaction."

"The disease is often made worse by the remedy."

"The greatest fool is he who thinks he is not one and all others are."

"The heaven of the envied is hell for the envious."

"The man who lives a peaceful life lives a long life."

"The great rule of life: Learn to forget."

"The things we remember best are those better forgotten."

"The passions are the gates of the soul."

"The tongue is a wild beast; once let loose it is hard to chain."

"The very truths which concern us most can only be half spoken, but with attention we can grasp the whole meaning."

"The wise do at once what the fool does at last."

"The wise man always hopes for the best, but expects the worst."

"There is none who cannot teach somebody something, and there is none so excellent that he cannot be excelled."

"The wise man does at once what the fool does finally."

"Trust the friends of to-day as if they will be enemies to-morrow."

"There is always time to add a word, never to withdraw one."

"To know how to refuse is as important as to know how to consent. A gilded No gives more satisfaction than a dry Yes."

"To be at ease is better than to be at business. Nothing really belongs to us but time, which even he has who has nothing else."

"We live by information, not by sight."

"We often have to put up with most from those on whom we most depend."

"Well said is quickly said."

"Wise men appreciate all men, for they see the good in each and know how hard it is to make anything good."

"Work is the price that is paid for reputation."

"Cautious silence is the holy of holies of worldly wisdom."

"He who laughs at everything is as big a fool as he who weeps at everything."

"All that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that."

"Never contend with a man who has nothing to lose."

"You can judge the height of someone’s talent by what he aspires to. Only a great thing can satisfy a great talent."

"All men are idolaters, some of fame, others of self-interest, most of pleasure."

"Content yourself with doing, leave the talking to others."

"Remedies often makes diseases worse… It takes a wise doctor to know when not to prescribe."

"Knowledge without courage is sterile."

"Be content to act, and leave the talking to others."

"A wise man gets more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends."