Charles Caleb Colton quotes

Charles Caleb Colton was an English cleric, writer, and collector. With a passion for literature and art, Colton authored several popular essays and books during the 19th century. Known for his witty insights and critical observations, his works gained significant recognition. Colton's book "Lacon: or, Many Things in Few Words" became highly regarded, offering readers a collection of concise yet profound aphorisms. As a collector, he specialized in acquiring art and rare books, amassing an impressive collection. Explore the life and works of the influential Charles Caleb Colton, a distinguished figure in English literature and a connoisseur of fine arts.

Men will wrangle for religion, write for it, fight for it, die for it; anything but live for it.

- Charles Caleb Colton

If we can advance any propositions that are both true and new, these are indisputably our own, by right of discovery; and if we can repeat what is old more briefly and brightly than others, this also becomes our own, by right of conquest.

- Charles Caleb Colton

Discretion has been termed the better part of valour, and it is more certain, that diffidence is the better part of knowledge.

- Charles Caleb Colton

We hate some persons because we do not know them; and we will not know them because we hate them.

- Charles Caleb Colton

True friendship is like sound health; the value of it is seldom known until it be lost.

- Charles Caleb Colton

The firmest friendships have been formed in mutual adversity, as iron is most strongly united by the fiercest flame.

- Charles Caleb Colton

Our incomes are like our shoes; if too small, they gall and pinch us; but if too large, they cause us to stumble and trip.

- Charles Caleb Colton

Next to acquiring good friends, the best acquisition is that of a good book.

- Charles Caleb Colton

Most men know what they hate; few what they love.

- Charles Caleb Colton

Money is the most envied, but the least enjoyed. Health is the most enjoyed, but the least envied.

- Charles Caleb Colton

Men are born with two eyes but only one tongue in order that they should see twice as much as they say.

- Charles Caleb Colton

If you cannot inspire a woman with love of you, fill her above the brim with love of herself ~ all that runs over will be yours.

- Charles Caleb Colton

Gold is worshipped in all climates, without a single temple, and by all classes, without a single hypocrite.

- Charles Caleb Colton

Friendship often ends in love. But love in friendship; never.

- Charles Caleb Colton

A hug is worth a thousand words. A friend is worth more.

- Charles Caleb Colton

The drafts which true genius draws upon posterity, although they may not always be honored so soon as they are due, are sure to be paid with compound interest in the end.

- Charles Caleb Colton

Physical courage, which despises all danger, will make a man brave in one way; and moral courage, which despises all opinion, will make a man brave in another.

- Charles Caleb Colton

We hate some persons because we do not know them; and will not know them because we hate them.

- Charles Caleb Colton

The present time has one advantage over every other - it is our own.

- Charles Caleb Colton

Law and equity are two things which God has joined, but which man has put asunder.

- Charles Caleb Colton

The society of dead authors has this advantage over that of the living: they never flatter us to our faces, nor slander us behind our backs, nor intrude upon our privacy, nor quit their shelves until we take them down.

- Charles Caleb Colton

If a horse has four legs, and I'm riding it, I think I can win.

- Charles Caleb Colton

Life isn't like a book. Life isn't logical or sensible or orderly. Life is a mess most of the time. And theology must be lived in the midst of that mess.

- Charles Caleb Colton

Marriage is a feast where the grace is sometimes better than the dinner.

- Charles Caleb Colton

Nothing more completely baffles one who is full of trick and duplicity, than straightforward and simple integrity in another.

- Charles Caleb Colton

Did universal charity prevail, earth would be a heaven, and hell a fable.

- Charles Caleb Colton

Death is the liberator of him whom freedom cannot release, the physician of him whom medicine cannot cure, and the comforter of him whom time cannot console.

- Charles Caleb Colton

We own almost all our knowledge not to those who have agreed but to those who have differed.

- Charles Caleb Colton

If you would be known, and not know, vegetate in a village; if you would know, and not be known, live in a city.

- Charles Caleb Colton

He that knows himself, knows others; and he that is ignorant of himself, could not write a very profound lecture on other men's heads.

- Charles Caleb Colton