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Richter.
437.
Experience has always shown, and reason shows, that affairs which depend on many seldom succeed.
Guicciardini.
438.
Give not thy tongue too great a liberty, lest it take thee prisoner. A word unspoken is like thy sword in thy
scabbard; if vented, the sword is in another's hand.[23] If thou desire to be held wise, be so wise as to hold thy
tongue.
Quarles.
[23] Cf. 221; also Metastasio:
Voce dal fuggita Poi richiamar non vale; Non si trattien lo strale Quando dall' arco uscì.
[The word that once escapes the tongue cannot be recalled; the arrow cannot be detained which has once sped
from the bow.]
439.
The old lose one of the greatest privileges of man, for they are no longer judged by their contemporaries.
Goethe.
440.
When the man of a naturally good propensity has much wealth it injures his advancement in wisdom; when a
worthless man has much wealth it increases his faults.
Chinese.
441.
Book of Wise Sayings, by W. A. Clouston 64
In youth a man is deluded by other ideas than those which delude him in middle life, and again in his decay he
embraces other ideas.
Mahábhárata.
442.
To consider, Is this man of our own or an alien? is a mark of little-minded persons; but the whole earth is of
kin to the generous-hearted.[24]
Panchatantra.
[24] Cf. Luke, X, 29, ff.
443.
Skill in advising others is easily attained by men; but to practise righteousness themselves is what only a few
can succeed in doing.
Hitopadesa.
444.
Hast thou not perfect excellence, 'tis best To keep thy tongue in silence, for 'tis this Which shames a man; as
lightness does attest The nut is empty, nor of value is.
Sa'dí.
445.
Understand a man by his deeds and words; the impressions of others lead to false judgment.
Talmud.
446.
A man of feeble character resembles a reed that bends with every gust of wind.
Mágha.
447.
There is no fire like passion; there is no shark like hatred; there is no snare like folly; there is no torrent like
greed.
Dhammapada.
448.
Commit a sin twice, and it will not seem to thee a sin.
Talmud.
Book of Wise Sayings, by W. A. Clouston 65
449.
Liberality attended with mild language; learning without pride; valour united with mercy; wealth
accompanied with a generous contempt of it--these four qualities are with difficulty acquired.
Hitopadesa.
450.
Inquire about your neighbour before you build, and about your companions before you travel.
Arabic.
451.
Though you may yourself abound in treasure, teach your son some handicraft; for a heavy purse of gold and
silver may run to waste, but the purse of the artisan's industry can never get empty.
Sa'dí.
452.
It is an observation no less just than common that there is no stronger test of a man's real character than power
and authority, exciting, as they do, every passion, and discovering every latent vice.
Plutarch.
453.
Rather skin a carcass for pay in the public streets than be idly dependent on charity.
Talmud.
454.
Knowledge produces mildness of speech; mildness of speech, a good character; a good character, wealth;
wealth, if virtuous actions attend it, happiness.
Hitopadesa.
455.
O how wonderful is the human voice! It is indeed the organ of the soul. The intellect of man sits enshrined
visibly upon his forehead and in his eye; and the heart of man is written upon his countenance. But the soul
reveals itself in the voice only, as God revealed himself to the prophet in the still small voice, and in a voice
from the Burning Bush. The soul of man is audible, not visible. A sound alone betrays the flowing of the
eternal fountain invisible to man.
Longfellow.
456.
Book of Wise Sayings, by W. A. Clouston 66
Every gift, though small, is in reality great, if it be given with affection.[25]
Philemon.
[25] See also 80.
457.
Good words, good deeds, and beautiful expressions A wise man ever culls from every quarter, E'en as a
gleaner gathers ears of corn.
Mahábhárata.
458.
In poverty and other misfortunes of life men think friends to be their only refuge. The young they keep out of
mischief, to the old they are a comfort and aid in their weakness, and those in the prime of life they incite to
noble deeds.
Aristotle.
459.
Heed not the flatterer's fulsome talk, He from thee hopes some trifle to obtain; Thou wilt, shouldst thou his
wishes baulk, Ten hundred times as much of censure gain.
Sa'dí.
460.
By the fall of water-drops the pot is filled: such is the increase of riches, of knowledge, and of virtue.
Hitopadesa.
461.
We deliberate about the parcels of life, but not about life itself, and so we arrive all unawares at its different
epochs, and have the trouble of beginning all again. And so finally it is that we do not walk as men
confidently towards death, but let death come suddenly upon us.
Seneca.
462.
It is no very good symptom, either of nations or individuals, that they deal much in vaticination. Happy men
are full of the present, for its bounty suffices them; and wise men also, for its duties engage them. Our grand
business undoubtedly is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what clearly lies at hand.
Carlyle.
463.
Book of Wise Sayings, by W. A. Clouston 67
Law does not put the least restraint Upon our freedom, but maintain'st; Or, if it does, 'tis for our good, To give
us freer latitude: For wholesome laws preserve us free, By stinting of our liberty.
Butler.
464.
It is only necessary to grow old in order to become more indulgent. I see no fault committed that I have not
been myself inclined to.
Goethe.
465.
Even a blockhead may respect inspire, So long as he is suitably attired; A fool may gain esteem among the
wise, So long as he has sense to hold his tongue.
Hitopadesa.
466.
A wise man should never resolve upon anything, at least, never let the world know his resolution, for if he
cannot reach that he is ashamed.[26]
Selden.
[26] See 406.
467.
Men's minds are generally ingenious in palliating guilt in themselves.
Livy.
468.
Prosperity is acquired by exertion, and there is no fruit for him who doth not exert himself: the fawns go not
into the mouth of a sleeping lion.
Hitopadesa.
469.
Wickedness, by whomsoever committed, is odious, but most of all in men of learning; for learning is the
weapon with which Satan is combated, and when a man is made captive with arms in his hand his shame is
more excessive.
Sa'dí.
470.
He that will give himself to all manner of ways to get money may be rich; so he that lets fly all he knows or
Book of Wise Sayings, by W. A. Clouston 68
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