Footnotes to Long Island History
OLD QUOTATIONS
by
Thomas R. Bayles
Navy
OLD QUOTATIONS—The following quotations were taken by Thomas R. Bayles from an old copy of “Cobb’s Spelling Book,” published in 1825. Mr. Bayles writes “Footnotes to Long Island History,” for The Long Island Advance.
“He that can please nobody, is not so much to pitied as he that nobody can please.
None are so fond of secrets as those who do not intend to keep them; such persons covet secrets as a spendthrift covets money, for the purpose of circulation.
Excess in apparel is a costly vanity. The very trimmings of the vain would clothe all the destitute.
A little that a good man hath is better than the riches of many wicked persons.
Our best friends are those who tell us our faults and teach us how to correct them.
A kind word , nay, even a kind look, often affords comfort to the afflicted.
Whose regards dreams is like him that catches at a shadow and follows the wind.
He seldom lives frugally, who lives by chance.
Were the life of man prolonged, he would become so proficient in villainy, that it would be necessary to drown the world again or to burn it.
The firmest friendships have been forwed in mutual adversity, as iron is most strongly united by the fiercest flame.
A wise man leaves past time for observation and reflection, present time for duty, and time to come he leaves to Providence.
The loss of wealth may be regained, the loss of health may be recovered, but that of time can never be recalled.
The advantage of living does not consist in length of days, but in the right improvement of them.
A passionate and revengeful temper renders a man unfit for advise, deprives him of his reason, and robs him of all that is great or noble in his nature.
Those who are ready to forgive injuries are esteemed for their clemency and forbearance, whilst those who cherish revenge are dreaded for the mischief they are capable of doing.
The sweetest revenge is to do good to our enemies.
Remember this truth, that God is the common parent of all mankind, and that, therefore all men are brethren, and what you do for others is all you have reason to expect from them.
Men are born with two eyes, but with one tongue, in order that they shall see twice as much as they say.
The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself will bring his parents to shame.
The eye that mocks at his father, and scorns to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out and the young eagle shall eat it.
Where there is no wood the fire goes out, and where there is no tattler the strife ceases.
A word fitly spoken is like the apple of gold in pictures of silver.
Believe nothing against another, but upon good authority, nor report what would hurt another, unless it would be a greater hurt to others to conceal it.
The slothful man is a burden to himself; his hours hang heavily upon his head. He would eat of the almond, but he hates the trouble of breaking the shell.
If thou seest a man of understanding, get thee betimes unto him, and let his precepts enlighten thy mind.
The tongue of the sincere is rooted in his heart; hyprocrisy and deceit have no place in his words.”