What exile from himself can flee?
To zones, though more and more remote,
Still, still pursues, where'er read more

What exile from himself can flee?
To zones, though more and more remote,
Still, still pursues, where'er I be,
The blight of life--the demon Thought.

The busiest of living agents are certain dead men's thoughts.

The busiest of living agents are certain dead men's thoughts.

Thought is borne of failure.

Thought is borne of failure.

No one means all he says, and yet very few say all they mean, for words are slippery and thought read more

No one means all he says, and yet very few say all they mean, for words are slippery and thought is viscous.

Original thoughts can be understood only in virtue of the
unoriginal elements which they contain.

Original thoughts can be understood only in virtue of the
unoriginal elements which they contain.

Great thoughts, like great deeds, need
No trumpet.

Great thoughts, like great deeds, need
No trumpet.

Any man may make a mistake; none but a fool will stick to it.
Second thoughts are best as read more

Any man may make a mistake; none but a fool will stick to it.
Second thoughts are best as the proverb says.
[Lat., Cujusvis hominis est errare; nullius, nisi insipientis, in
errore perseverae. Posteriores enim cogitationes (ut aiunt)
sapientiores solent esse.]

Men's first thoughts in this matter are generally better than
their second; their natural notions better than those refin'd read more

Men's first thoughts in this matter are generally better than
their second; their natural notions better than those refin'd by
study, or consultation with casuists.
- Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury,

Old things need not be therefore true,
O brother men, nor yet the new;
Ah! still awhile read more

Old things need not be therefore true,
O brother men, nor yet the new;
Ah! still awhile the old thought retain,
And yet consider it again!