Discontents are sometimes the better part of our life.—I know not which is the most useful.—Joy I may choose for pleasure; but adversities are the best for profit; and sometimes these do so far help me, that I should, without them, want much of the joy I have.
—Owen Feltham
Topics: Discontent
Some are so uncharitable as to think all women bad, and others are so credulous as to believe they are all good. All will grant her corporeal frame more wonderful and more beautiful than man’s. And can we think God would put a worse soul into her better body?
—Owen Feltham
Topics: Woman
Every man should study conciseness in speaking; it is a sign of ignorance not to know that long speeches, though they may please the speaker, are the torture of the hearer.
—Owen Feltham
I love the man that is modestly valiant, that stirs not till he most needs, and then to purpose.—A continued patience I commend not.
—Owen Feltham
Topics: Valor
If we considered detraction to be bred of envy, and nested only in deficient minds, we should find that the applauding of virtue would win us far more honor than seeking to disparage it.—That would show we loved what we commended, while this tells the world we grudge at what we want ourselves.
—Owen Feltham
The married man is like the bee that fixes his hive, augments the world, benefits the republic, and by a daily diligence, without wronging any, profits all; but he who contemns wedlock, like a wasp, wanders an offence to the world, lives upon spoil and rapine, disturbs peace, steals sweets that are none of his own, and, by robbing the hives of others, meets misery as his due reward.
—Owen Feltham
Topics: Marriage
Men are like wine; not good before the lees of clownishness be settled.
—Owen Feltham
Topics: Manners
Prayer should be the key of the day and the lock of the night.
—Owen Feltham
Topics: Prayer
Discontent is like ink poured into water, which fills the whole fountain full of blackness. It casts a cloud over the mind, and renders it more occupied about the evil which disquiets than about the means of removing it.
—Owen Feltham
Topics: Discontent
The true boundary of man is moderation.—When once we pass that pale, our guardian angel quits his charge of us.
—Owen Feltham
Topics: Moderation
In some dispositions there is such an envious kind of pride that they cannot endure that any but themselves should be set forth for excellent; so that when they hear one justly praised, they will either seek to dismount his virtues, or, if they be like a clear light, they will stab him with a “but” of detraction.
—Owen Feltham
Riches, though they may reward virtue, cannot cause it.—He is much more noble who deserves a benefit than he who bestows one.
—Owen Feltham
Topics: Riches
It is much safer to reconcile an enemy than to conquer him; victory may deprive him of his poison, but reconciliation of his will.
—Owen Feltham
Topics: Enemies
Perfection is immutable, but for things imperfect, to change is the way to perfect them.—Constancy without knowledge cannot be always good; and in things ill, it is not virtue but an absolute vice.
—Owen Feltham
Topics: Change
Meditation is the soul’s perspective glass, whereby, in her long removes, she discerneth God, as if he were nearer at hand.
—Owen Feltham
Topics: Meditation
Praise has different effects, according to the mind it meets with; it makes a wise man modest, but a fool more arrogant, turning his weak brain giddy.
—Owen Feltham
Topics: Praise
By gambling we lose both our time and treasure, two things most precious to the life of man.
—Owen Feltham
Topics: Gambling
Prevention is the best bridle.
—Owen Feltham
When two friends part they should lock up one another’s secrets, and interchange their keys.
—Owen Feltham
Topics: Secrecy
There is no belittling worse than to over praise a man.
—Owen Feltham
Topics: Praise
That man is but of the lower part of the world who is not brought up to business and affairs.
—Owen Feltham
Topics: Industry
To go to law is for two persons to kindle a fire, at their own cost, to warm others and singe themselves to cinders; and because they cannot agree as to what is truth and equity, they will both agree to unplume themselves that others may be decorated with their feathers.
—Owen Feltham
Topics: Law
God has made no one absolute. The rich depend on the poor, as well as the poor on the rich. The world is but a magnificent building; all the stones are gradually cemented together. No one subsists by himself.
—Owen Feltham
Topics: World, Independence
Show me the man who would go to heaven alone, and I will show you one who will never be admitted there.
—Owen Feltham
Topics: Selfishness
To trust God when we have securities in our iron chest is easy, but not thankworthy; but to depend on him for what we cannot see, as it is more hard for man to do, so it is more acceptable to God.
—Owen Feltham
Topics: Trust
In business, three things are necessary: knowledge, temper, and time.
—Owen Feltham
Topics: Business
He who always waits upon God, is ready whensoever he calls.—He is a happy man who so lives that death at all times may find him at leisure to die.
—Owen Feltham
Topics: Death
We do not wisely when we vent complaint and censure.—We cry out for a little pain, when we do but smile for a great deal of contentment.
—Owen Feltham
Topics: Complaining
A sentence well couched takes both the sense and the understanding.—I love not those cart-rope speeches that are longer than the memory of man can measure.
—Owen Feltham
Topics: Speech, Style
Negligence is the rust of the soul, that corrodes through all her best resolves.
—Owen Feltham
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
- Douglas Adams British Author
- John Fowles English Novelist
- John Mason Good British Physician
- Joan Collins English Actress
- Hugh Walpole English Novelist
- John Bunyan English Writer, Preacher
- Thomas Paine American Nationalist
- Reginald Horace Blyth British Japanologist
- Jonathan Miller English Stage Director
- John Galsworthy English Novelist, Playwright
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