Great Throughts Treasury

"What hath he to do with a soul who doth not keep his passions in subjection?"

"What is a foreign country to those who have science?"

"What is distance to the indefatigable?"

"What is done for those who have not their passions in subjection, is like washing the elephant."

"What is happiness? To animals in this world, health."

"What is kindness? A principle in the good."

"What is not to be, that is not to be; if it be to come to pass, it cannot be otherwise. This reasoning is an antidote. Why doth not the afflicted one drink of it?"

"What is philosophy? An entire separation from the world."

"What is religion? Compassion for all things that have life."

"What is the use of a lamp to a blind man, although it be burning in his hand?"

"What, though thou wert rich and of high esteem, dost thou yield to sorrow because of thy loss of fortune?"

"Whatever hath been well consulted and well resolved, whether it be to fight well or to run away well, should be carried into execution in due season, without any further examination."

"What is too great a load for those who have strength?"

"Whatever is the natural propensity of a person is hard to overcome. If a dog were made a king, he would still gnaw at his shoe's laces."

"What, is any one, simply by birth, to be punished or applauded?"

"When a husband is embraced without affection, there must be some reason for it."

"When a man is in indigence, picking herbs is his philosophy; the enjoyment of his wife his only commerce, and vassalage his food."

"When a wise man findeth an occasion, he may bear away his enemy upon his shoulder, as it were."

"When pleasure is arrived, it is worthy of attention; when trouble presenteth itself, the same. Pain and pleasures have their revolutions like a wheel."

"When the leader passes over all alike, not making a distinction, then the endeavors of those who are capable of exertion are entirely lost."

"When the quality of bravery is near, a great man’s terrors are at a distance. In the hour of misfortune such a great man overcometh bravery."

"Where have they who are running here and there in search of riches such happiness as those placid spirits enjoy who are gratified at the immortal fountain of happiness?"

"Work, go, fall, rise, speak, be silent! In this manner do the rich sport with those needy men, who are held by the grip of dependence."

"Without enjoyment, the wealth of the miser is the same to him as if it were another’s. But when it is said of a man “he hath so much,” it is with difficulty he can be induced to part with it."

"Whether a child, or an old man, or a youth, be come to thy house, he is to be treated with respect; for of all men, thy guest is the superior."

"Who is a stranger to those who have the habit of speaking kindly."

"Where there is a splashing of dirt, it is good not to meddle and to keep far away."

"Whilst a man confideth in Providence, he should not slacken his own exertions; for without labor he is unworthy to obtain the oil from the seed."

"Youth, abundant wealth, high birth, and inexperience, are, each of them, the source of ruin. What then must be the fate of him in whom all four are combined?"