We are frequently understood the least by those who have known us the longest.

We are not so easily gilded by our most prominent weaknesses, as by those of which we are least aware.

Some persons are insensible to flattering words, but who can resist the flattery of modest imitation?

If you would understand your own age, read the works of fiction produced in it. People in disguise speak freely.

It requires a strong mind to bear up against several languages. Some persons have learnt so many, that they have ceased to think in any one.

Music recalls a state of feeling, and not merely a series of incidents. When we listen to the long-forgotten melody, we do not review the scenes and actions of our childhood in succession, but we become for the moment children once again.

Entrust a secret to one whose importance will not be much increased by divulging it.

Pride, if not the origin, is the medium of all wickedness--the atmosphere without which it would instantly die away.

If you are often deceived by those around you, you may be sure that you deserve to be deceived; and that instead of railing at the general falseness of mankind, you have first to pronounce judgment on your own jealous tyranny, or on your own weak credulity.

The reasons which any man offers to you for his own conduct, betray his opinion of your character.

There are many dangers like comets--terrible indeed in their aspect to the vulgar, but of such a nature that the heavens may be seen through them by philosophers.

Some are contented to wear the mask of foolishness in order to carry on their vicious schemes.

Tolerance is the only real test of civilization.

The practical man--an especial favorite in this age--often takes the field with his single fact against a great principle, in the reckless spirit of one who would not hesitate to sever the thread on which he is unable to string his own individual pearl--perhaps a false one--even though he should scatter man jewels worthy of a prince's diadem.

Those only who can bear the truth will hear it.

Words must ever sound so feeble in attempting to express the magic power of melody.

You cannot ensure the gratitude of others for a favour conferred upon them in the way which is most agreeable to yourself.

It must be a very weary day to the youth when he first discovers that, after all, he will only become a man.

When two disputants relinquish a discussion, each apparently more convinced by his adversary's arguments of the goodness of his own cause, we imagine that debates of this kind can produce no beneficial effect. We are mistaken: after a well-fought battle both parties send their herald to claim victory, but under cover of night the vanquished will find out their defeat, and retire in silence to their ships.

How little do they know of human nature, who imagine that pride is likely to be subdued by adversity.

We must often consider, not what the wise will think, but what the foolish will be sure to say.

Reading is sometimes an ingenious device for avoiding thought.

ARTHUR HELPS, Friends in Council

A boorish man thanks God very loudly that he is not insincere--nobody having ever thought of accusing him even of that small and wretched approach to politeness, which is sometimes flavored by insincerity.

ARTHUR HELPS, attributed, Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers

Wise sayings often fall on barren ground.

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