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Heroic, stoic Cato, the sententious,
Who lent his lady to his friend Hortensius.
Heroic, stoic Cato, the sententious,
Who lent his lady to his friend Hortensius.
So well she acted all and every part
By turns--with that vivacious versatility,
Which many people take read more
So well she acted all and every part
By turns--with that vivacious versatility,
Which many people take for want of heart.
They err--'tis merely what is call'd mobility,
A thing of temperament and not of art,
Though seeming so, from its supposed facility;
And false--though true; for surely they're sincerest
Who are strongly acted on by what is nearest.
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
Character is what you are in the dark.
Character is what you are in the dark.
Vitanda est improba Siren Desidia. (That shameful Siren, sloth, is ever to be avoided.)
Vitanda est improba Siren Desidia. (That shameful Siren, sloth, is ever to be avoided.)
A man never discloses his own character so clearly as when he describes another's.
A man never discloses his own character so clearly as when he describes another's.
Genteel in personage,
Conduct, and equipage;
Noble by heritage,
Generous and free.
Genteel in personage,
Conduct, and equipage;
Noble by heritage,
Generous and free.
Instead of saying that man is the creature of circumstance, it would be nearer the mark to say that man read more
Instead of saying that man is the creature of circumstance, it would be nearer the mark to say that man is the architect of circumstance. It is character which builds an existence out of circumstance. From the same materials one man builds palaces, another hovels; one warehouses, another villas; bricks and mortar are mortar and bricks until the architect can make them something else.
Excellence is not a singular act, but a habit. You are what you repeatedly do.
Excellence is not a singular act, but a habit. You are what you repeatedly do.
