The past but lives in written words: a thousand ages were blank if books had not evoked their ghosts, and kept the pale unbodied shades to warn us from fleshless lips.
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It is only imperfection that complains of what is imperfect. The more perfect we are, the more gentle and quiet we become toward the defects of others.
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Nothing will make us so charitable and tender to the faults of others, as, by self-examination, thoroughly to know our own.
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All earthly delights are sweeter in expectation than in enjoyment; but all spiritual pleasures more in fruition than in expectation.
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If we were faultless we should not be so much annoyed by the defects of those with whom we associate.
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If the riches of the Indies, or the crowns of all the kingdom of Europe, were laid at my feet in exchange for my love of reading, I would spurn them all.
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A good historian is timeless; although he is a patriot, he will never flatter his country in any respect.
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Most people I ask little from. I try to give them much, and expect nothing in return and I do very well in the bargain.
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The more you say, the less people remember. The fewer the words, the greater the profit.
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Children are excellent observers, and will often perceive your slightest defects. In general, those who govern children, forgive nothing in them, but everything in themselves.
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Had we not faults of our own, we should take less pleasure in complaining of others.
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Little opportunities should be improved.
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Children are very nice observers, and will often perceive your sligthest defects. In general, those who govern children, forgive nothing in them, but everything in themselves.
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