If we steal thoughts from the moderns, it will be cried down as plagiarism; if from the ancients, it will be cried up as erudition.
Charles Caleb Colton

If you cannot inspire a woman with love of you, fill her above the brim with love of herself; all that runs over will be yours.
Charles Caleb Colton

If you would be known, and not know, vegetate in a village; if you would know, and not be known, live in a city.
Charles Caleb Colton

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Charles Caleb Colton

In life we shall find many men that are great, and some that are good, but very few men that are both great and good.
Charles Caleb Colton

In religion as in politics it so happens that we have less charity for those who believe half our creed, than for those who deny the whole of it.
Charles Caleb Colton

It is always safe to learn, even from our enemies; seldom safe to venture to instruct, even our friends.
Charles Caleb Colton

It is better to meet danger than to wait for it. He that is on a lee shore, and foresees a hurricane, stands out to sea and encounters a storm to avoid a shipwreck.
Charles Caleb Colton

Justice to my readers compels me to admit that I write because I have nothing to do; justice to myself induces me to add that I will cease to write the moment I have nothing to say.
Charles Caleb Colton

Knowledge is two-fold, and consists not only in an affirmation of what is true, but in the negation of that which is false.
Charles Caleb Colton

Ladies of Fashion starve their happiness to feed their vanity, and their love to feed their pride.
Charles Caleb Colton

Law and equity are two things which God has joined, but which man has put asunder.
Charles Caleb Colton

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty; it is a blessing that must be earned before it can be enjoyed.
Charles Caleb Colton

Life isn't like a book. Life isn't logical or sensible or orderly. Life is a mess most of the time. And theology must be lived in the midst of that mess.
Charles Caleb Colton

Many books require no thought from those who read them, and for a very simple reason; they made no such demand upon those who wrote them.
Charles Caleb Colton

Many speak the truth when they say that they despise riches, but they mean the riches possessed by others.
Charles Caleb Colton

Marriage is a feast where the grace is sometimes better than the dinner.
Charles Caleb Colton

Men are born with two eyes, but with one tongue, in order that they should see twice as much as they say.
Charles Caleb Colton

Men's arguments often prove nothing but their wishes.
Charles Caleb Colton

Moderation is the inseparable companion of wisdom, but with it genius has not even a nodding acquaintance.
Charles Caleb Colton