William Lyon Phelps Quotes - Page 2

Never try to outsmart a woman, unless you are another woman.

Unlimited power is worse for the average person than unlimited alcohol; and the resulting intoxication is more damaging for others. Very few have not deteriorated when given absolute dominion. It is worse for the governor than for the governed.

The fear of life is the favorite disease of the 20th century.

In a start-up company, you basically throw out all assumptions every three weeks.

I do not know how wicked American millionaires are, but as I travel about and see the results of their generosity in the form of hospitals, churches, public libraries, universities, parks, recreation grounds, art museums and theatres I wonder what on earth we should do without them.

How essential it is in youth to acquire some intellectual or artistic tastes, in order to furnish the mind, to be able to live inside a mind with attractive and interesting pictures on the walls.

The final test of a gentleman is his respect for those who can be of no possible service to him.

One appreciates that daily life is really good when one wakes from a horrible dream, or when one takes the first outing after a sickness. Why not realize it now?

A well-ordered life is like climbing a tower; the view halfway up is better than the view from the base, and it steadily becomes finer as the horizon expands.

You can learn more about human nature by reading the Bible than by living in New York.

The kind of happiness that stays with you is the happiness that springs from inward thoughts and emotions.

Why is it so many people are afraid to admit they are happy?

At a certain age some people's minds close up; they live on their intellectual fat.

I find daily life not always joyous, but always interesting. I have some sad days and nights, but none that are dull. As I advance deeper into the vale of years, I live with constantly increasing gusto and excitement. I am sure it all means something; in the last analysis, I am an optimist because I believe in God. Those who have no faith are quite naturally pessimists and I do not blame them.

You can be deprived of your money, your job and your home by someone else, but remember that no one can ever take away your honor.

The principle of happiness should be like the principle of virtue: it should not be dependent of things, but be a part of personality [and character].

A bibliophile of little means is likely to suffer often. Books don't slip from his hands but fly past him through the air, high as birds, high as prices.

Herein lies the real value of education. Advanced education may or may not make men and women more efficient; but it enriches personality, increases the wealth of the mind, and hence brings happiness.

A middle-aged cat will often play as unreservedly as a kitten, though he knows perfectly well it is only a game.

There is a strange reluctance on the part of most people to admit that they enjoy life.

Being educated means to prefer the best not only to the worst but to the second best.

Life, with all it's sorrows, cares, perplexities and heart-breaks, is more interesting than bovine placidity, hence more desirable. The more interesting it is, the happier it is.

Every time you acquire a new interest, even more, a new accomplishment, you increase your power of life.

Marriage is a fine and sacred thing if you make it so.

There is never much trouble in any family where the children hope someday to resemble their parents.