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SHARP, James Quotes
(1618-1679), Scottish archbishop
It is vain to expect any advantage from our profession of the truth if we be not sincerely just and honest in our actions.
It is not every calamity that is a curse, and early adversity is often a blessing.—Surmounted difficulties not only teach, but hearten us in our future struggles.
All solitary enjoyments quickly pall, or become painful.
If you cannot be happy in one way, be in another; this facility of disposition wants but little aid from philosophy, for health and good humor are almost the whole affair. Many run about after felicity, like an absent man hunting for his hat, while it is in his hand or on his head.
The chief secret of comfort lies in not suffering trifles to vex us, and in prudently cultivating our undergrowth of small pleasures, since very few great ones, alas! are let on long leases.
Satirical writers and talkers are not half so clever as they think themselves, or as they are thought to be.—They do winnow the corn, it is true, but it is to feed on the chaff.—It requires talent and generosity to find out talent and generosity in others, but only self-conceit and malice are needed to discover or imagine faults.
It is much easier for an ill-natured, than for a good-natured man to be witty; but the most gifted men are the least addicted to depreciate either friends or foes.—Your shrewd, sly, wit-speaking fellow is generally a shallow personage, and frequently he is as venomous and false when he flatters as when he reviles.
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