There are many shining qualities on the mind of man; but none so useful as discretion. It is this which gives a value to all the rest, and sets them at work in their proper places, and turns them to the advantage of their possessor. Without it, learning is pedantry; wit, impertinence; virtue itself looks like weakness; and the best parts only qualify a man to be more sprightly in errors, and active to his own prejudice. Though a man has all other perfections and wants discretion, he will be of no great consequence in the world; but if he has this single talent in perfection, and but a common share of others, he may do what he pleases in his station of life.
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In this society, the norm of masculinity is phallic aggression. Male sexuality is, by definition, intensely and rigidly phallic. A man's identity is located in his conception of himself as the possessor of a phallus; a man's worth is located in his pride in phallic identity. The main characteristic of phallic identity is that worth is entirely contingent on the possession of a phallus. Since men have no other criteria for worth, no other notion of identity, those who do not have phalluses are not recognized as fully human.
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Surplus wealth is a sacred trust which its possessor is bound to administer in his lifetime for the good of the community.
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The very existence of society depends on the fact that every member of it tacitly admits he is not the exclusive possessor of himself, and tha...
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Honesty is a good thing, but it is not profitable to its possessor unless it is kept under control.
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Most people dislike vanity in others, whatever share they have of it themselves; but I give it fair quarter, wherever I meet with it, being persuaded that it is often productive of good to the possessor, and to others who are within his sphere of action: and therefore, in many cases, it would not be altogether absurd if a man were to thank God for his vanity among the other comforts of life.
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Tell my son how anxious I am that he may read and learn his Book, that he may become the possessor of those things that a grateful country has...
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Riches, like glory or heath, have no more beauty or pleasure than their possessor is pleased to lend them.
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Talent for talent's sake is a bauble and a show. Talent working with joy in the cause of universal truth lifts the possessor to new power as a benefactor.
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Unlimited power corrupts the possessor.
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Wit is a dangerous weapon, even to the possessor, if he knows not how to use it discreetly
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Wit is a dangerous weapon, even to the possessor, if he knows not how to use it discreetly.
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