For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged, by better information or fuller consideration, to change read more

For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged, by better information or fuller consideration, to change opinions, even on important subjects, which I once thought right but found to be otherwise.

I never make the mistake of arguing with people for whose opinions I have no respect.

I never make the mistake of arguing with people for whose opinions I have no respect.

Nothing is more amiable than true modesty, and nothing more contemptible than the false

Nothing is more amiable than true modesty, and nothing more contemptible than the false

One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions.

One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions.

Every new opinion, at its starting, is precisely in a minority of one.

Every new opinion, at its starting, is precisely in a minority of one.

Modesty is not only an ornament, but also a guard to virtue.

Modesty is not only an ornament, but also a guard to virtue.

When one remains modest, not after praise but after blame, then
is he really so.
[Ger., Wenn jemand read more

When one remains modest, not after praise but after blame, then
is he really so.
[Ger., Wenn jemand bescheiden bleibt, nicht beim Lobe, sondern
beim Tadel, dann ist er's.]

New opinions are always suspected, and usually opposed, without any other reason but because they are not already common.

New opinions are always suspected, and usually opposed, without any other reason but because they are not already common.

If you want to know your true opinion of someone, watch the effect produced in you by the first sight read more

If you want to know your true opinion of someone, watch the effect produced in you by the first sight of a letter from him.