Charles Caleb Colton

Repartee is perfect when it effects its purpose with a double edge. It is the highest order of wit, as read more

Repartee is perfect when it effects its purpose with a double edge. It is the highest order of wit, as it indicates the coolest yet quickest exercise of genius, at a moment when the passions are roused.

No man can purchase his virtue too dear, for it is the only thing whose value must ever increase with read more

No man can purchase his virtue too dear, for it is the only thing whose value must ever increase with the price it has cost us. Our integrity is never worth so much as when we have parted with our all to keep it.

Examinations are formidable even to the best prepared, for the greatest fool may ask more than the wisest man can read more

Examinations are formidable even to the best prepared, for the greatest fool may ask more than the wisest man can answer.

Subtract from the great man all that he owes to opportunity, all that he owes to chance, and all that read more

Subtract from the great man all that he owes to opportunity, all that he owes to chance, and all that he gained by the wisdom of his friends and the folly of his enemies, and the giant will often be seen to be a pygmy.

To know the pains of power, we must go to those who have it; to
know its pleasures, we read more

To know the pains of power, we must go to those who have it; to
know its pleasures, we must go to those who are seeking it: the
pains of power are real, its pleasure imaginary.