Arouse the mind without resting it on anything.

Arouse the mind without resting it on anything.

I stood
Among them, but not of them: in a shroud
Of thoughts which were not their read more

I stood
Among them, but not of them: in a shroud
Of thoughts which were not their thoughts.

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,

Never express yourself more clearly than you think.

Never express yourself more clearly than you think.

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.]

With curious art the brain, too finely wrought,
Preys on herself, and is destroyed by thought.

With curious art the brain, too finely wrought,
Preys on herself, and is destroyed by thought.

Ah! still awhile the old thought retain,
And yet consider it again!

Ah! still awhile the old thought retain,
And yet consider it again!

To him whose elastic and vigorous thought keeps pace with the sun, the day is a perpetual morning.

To him whose elastic and vigorous thought keeps pace with the sun, the day is a perpetual morning.

When thought becomes excessively painful, action is the finest remedy.

When thought becomes excessively painful, action is the finest remedy.