There is less misery in being cheated than in that kind of wisdom which
perceives, or thinks it perceives, that all mankind are
cheats.--_Chapin._
Like unto golden hooks that from the foolish fish their baits do
hide.--_Spenser._
Libertines are hideous spiders that often catch pretty
butterflies.--_Diderot._
~Decency.~--As beauty of body, with an agreeable carriage, pleases the
eye, and that pleasure consists in that we observe all the parts with a
certain elegance are proportioned to each other; so does decency of
behavior which appears in our lives obtain the approbation of all with
whom we converse, from the order, consistency, and moderation of our
words and actions.--_Steele._
Virtue and decency are so nearly related that it is difficult to
separate them from each other but in our imagination.--_Tully._
~Declamation.~--Fine declamation does not consist in flowery periods,
delicate allusions, or musical cadences, but in a plain, open, loose
style, where the periods are long and obvious; where the same thought is
often exhibited in several points of view.--_Goldsmith._
The art of declamation has been sinking in value from the moment that
speakers were foolish enough to publish, and hearers wise enough to
read.--_Colton._
~Deeds.~--A word that has been said may be unsaid: it is but air. But when
a deed is done, it cannot be undone, nor can our thoughts reach out to
all the mischiefs that may follow.--_Longfellow._
How oft the sight of means to do ill deeds makes deeds ill
done!--_Shakespeare._
Legal deeds were invented to remind men of their promises, or to convict
them of having broken them,--a stigma on the human race.--_Bruyere._
Good actions ennoble us, and we are the sons of our own
deeds.--_Cervantes._
We should believe only in works; words are sold for nothing
everywhere.--_Rojas._
~Delay.~--We do not directly go about the execution of the purpose that
thrills us, but shut our doors behind us, and ramble with prepared
minds, as if the half were already done. Our resolution is taking root
or hold on the earth then, as seeds first send a shoot downward, which
is fed by their own albumen, ere they send one upwards to the
light.--_Thoreau._
Time drinketh up the essence of every great and noble action, which
ought to be performed! and is delayed in the execution.--_Veeshnoo
Sarma._
~Democracy.~--Democracy will itself accomplish the salutary universal
change from delusive to real, and make a new blessed world of us by and
by.--_Carlyle._