Tryon Edwards Quotes - Page 3

We should be as careful of the books we read, as of the company we keep. The dead very often have more power than the living.

To possess money is very well; it may be a valuable servant; to be possessed by it is to be possessed by the devil, and one of the meanest and worst kind of devils.

Some men are born old, and some men never seem so. If we keep well and cheerful, we are always young and at last die in youth even when in years would count as old.

The great end of education is, to discipline rather than to furnish the mind; to train it to the use of its own powers, rather than fill it with the accumulation of others.

Most of our censure of others is only oblique praise of self, uttered to show the wisdom and superiority of the speaker. It has all the invidiousness of self-praise, and all the ill-desert of falsehood.

Anxiety is the poison of human life; the parent of many sins and of more miseries. In a world where everything is doubtful, and where we may be disappointed, and be blessed in disappointment, why this restless stir and commotion of mind? Can it alter the cause, or unravel the mystery of human events?

The most we can get out of life is its discipline for ourselves, and its usefulness for others.

Mystery is but another name for ignorance; if we were omniscient, all would be perfectly plain!

Compromise is but the sacrifice of one right or good in the hope of retaining another - too often ending in the loss of both.

Hell is truth seen too lateduty neglected in its season.

Attention to a subject depends upon our interest in it.

He that is possessed with a prejudice is possessed with a devil.

Right actions for the future are the best apologies for wrong ones in the past - the best evidence of regret for them that we can offer, or the world receive.

To be good, we must do good; and by doing good we take a sure means of being good, as the use and exercise of the muscles increase their power.

Words are both better and worse than thoughts, they express them, and add to them; they give them power for good or evil; they start them on an endless flight, for instruction and comfort and blessing, or for injury and sorrow and ruin.

Duty performed gives clearness and firmness to faith, and faith thus strengthened through duty becomes the more assured and satisfying to the soul.

Never be so brief as to become obscure.

He that resolves upon any great and good end, has, by that very resolution, scaled the chief barrier to it. He will find such resolution removing difficulties, searching out or making means, giving courage for despondency, and strength for weakness, and like the star to the wise men of old, ever guiding him nearer and nearer to perfection.

If rich men would remember that shrouds have no pockets, they would, while living, share their wealth with their children, and give for the good of others, and so know the highest pleasure wealth can give.

There is often as much independence in not being led as in not being driven.

True art is reverent imitation of God.

Where duty is plain delay is both foolish and hazardous; where it is not, delay may be both wisdom and safety.

The slanderer and the assassin differ only in the weapon they use; with the one it is the dagger, with the other the tongue. The former is worse that the latter, for the last only kills the body, while the other murders the reputation.

Credulity is belief in slight evidence, with no evidence, or against evidence.

To waken interest and kindle enthusiasm is the sure way to teach easily and successfully.