Great Throughts Treasury

"How are riches the means of happiness? In acquiring they create trouble, in their loss they occasion sorrow, and they are the cause of endless divisions amongst kindred!"

"I esteem that wealth which is given to the worthy, and which is day by day enjoyed; the rest is a reserve for one knoweth not whom."

"If we are rich with the riches which we neither give nor enjoy, we are rich with the riches which are buried in the caverns of the earth."

"He whose understanding can discern what is, and judge what should or should not be applied to prevent misfortune, never sinketh under difficulties."

"Idleness, women, disorder, a foolish partiality for one's own native place, discontent and timidity are six obstructions to greatness."

"If the friendship of the good be interrupted, their minds admit of no long change; as when the stalks of a lotus are broken the filaments within them are more visibly cemented."

"In a noble race, levity without virtue is seldom found. In a mine of rubies, when shall we find pieces of glass?"

"In peace, who is not wise?"

"In the sandal-tree are serpents, in the water lotus flowers, but crocodiles also; even virtues are marred by the vicious. In all enjoyments there is something which impairs our happiness."

"In time of danger it is proper to be alarmed until danger be near at hand; but when we perceive that danger is near, we should oppose it as if we were not afraid."

"In misfortune, in error, and when the time appointed for certain affairs is about to elapse, a servant who hath his master’s welfare at heart ought to speak unasked."

"In granting and in refusing, in joy and in sorrow, in liking and in disliking, good men, because of their own likeness, show mercy unto all things which have life."

"Is anyone simply by birth to be applauded or punished?"

"In times of misfortune men’s understandings even are sullied."

"Is there anything of its own nature beautiful or not beautiful? The beauty of a thing is even that by which it shineth."

"In times of necessity the words of the wise are worthy to be observed."

"Is it not the same to whoso wears a shoe as if the earth were thatched all over with leather?"

"It is a maxim of those who are esteemed perfect, that abundance is the perverter of reason."

"It is a virtue in hermits to forgive their enemies as well as their friends; but it is a fault in princes to show clemency towards those who are guilty."

"It is better to live by begging one’s bread than to gratify the mouth at the expense of others."

"It is not good to pass by that we dislike, even to gain that which we like; for the water of life becometh mortal when mixed with a poison."

"It is better to live in a haunted forest … than to live amongst relations after the loss of wealth."

"It should not be suspected of a man, whose life hath been spent in noble deeds, that his reason is lost, when he is only involved in trouble. A fire may be overturned, but its flames will never descend."

"Knowledge acquired by a man of low degree places him on a level with a prince, as a small river attains the irremovable ocean; and his fortune is then exalted."

"Knowledge introduceth man to acquaintance; and, as the humble stream to the ocean, so doth it conduct him into the hard-acquired presence of the prince, whence fortune floweth."

"It is not proper to place confidence in one who cometh without any apparent cause."

"Knowledge is destroyed by associating with the base; with equals equality is gained, and with the distinguished, distinction."

"Knowledge produces mildness of speech; mildness of speech, a good character; a good character, wealth; wealth, if virtuous actions attend it, happiness."

"Knowledge produceth humility; from humility proceedeth worthiness; from worthiness riches are acquired; from riches religion, and thence happiness."

"Learning dissipates many doubts, and causes things otherwise invisible to be seen, and is the eye of everyone who is not absolutely blind."

"Labor bestowed on nothing is fruitless."

"Learning is a superior sight."

"Learning is a companion on a journey to a strange country."

"Learning is a livelihood."

"Learning is better than hidden treasure."

"Learning is strength inexhaustible."

"Learning is the source of renown, and the fountain of victory in the senate."

"Let a hoard always be made, but not too great a hoard."

"Learning to a man is a name superior to beauty."

"Learning to the inexperienced is a poison."

"Let this be an example for the acquisition of all knowledge, virtue, and riches. By the fall of drops of water, by degrees, a pot is filled."

"Liberality attended with mild language; learning without pride; valor united with mercy; wealth accompanied with a generous contempt of it? These four qualities are with difficulty acquired."

"Like an earthen pot, a bad man is easily broken, and cannot readily be restored to his former situation; but a virtuous man, like a vase of gold, is broken with difficulty, and easily repaired."

"Meat is devoured by the birds in the air, by the beasts in the fields, and by the fishes in the waters; so, in every situation, there is plenty."

"Man should not be over-anxious for a subsistence, for it is provided by the Creator. The infant no sooner droppeth from the womb than the breasts of the mother begin to stream."

"No man beholdeth prosperity who doth not encounter danger; but having encountered danger, if he surviveth, he beholdeth it."

"No man should enter into alliance with his enemy, even with the tightest bonds of union. Water made ever so hot will still quench fire."

"No man should ever display his bravery unless he is prepared for battle, nor bear the marks of defiance, until he has experienced the abilities of his enemy."

"No man should form an acquaintance, nor enter into any amusements, with one of an evil character. A piece of charcoal, if it be hot, burneth; and if it be cold, blackeneth the hand."

"No man should strive to precede his fellows; for, should the work succeed, the booty is equal, and if it fail, the leader is punished."