Quotes
Quotes about Sin
If we are not stupid or insincere when we say that the good or ill of man lies within his own will, and that all beside is nothing to us, why are we still troubled?
What is the first business of one who studies philosophy? To part with self-conceit. For it is impossible for any one to begin to learn what he thinks that he already knows.
He had talents equal to business, and aspired no higher.
He [Tiberius] upbraided Macro, in no obscure and indirect terms, "with forsaking the setting sun and turning to the rising."
Think on this doctrine,--that reasoning beings were created for one another's sake; that to be patient is a branch of justice, and that men sin without intending it.
Time is a sort of river of passing events, and strong is its current; no sooner is a thing brought to sight than it is swept by and another takes its place, and this too will be swept away.
In the morning, when thou art sluggish at rousing thee, let this thought be present; "I am rising to a man's work."
There are many marvellous stories told of Pherecydes. For it is said that he was walking along the seashore at Samos, and that seeing a ship sailing by with a fair wind, he said that it would soon sink; and presently it sank before his eyes. At another time he was drinking some water which had been drawn up out of a well, and he foretold that within three days there would be an earthquake; and there was one.
Arcesilaus had a peculiar habit while conversing of using the expression, "My opinion is," and "So and so will not agree to this."
Pythagoras used to say that he had received as a gift from Mercury the perpetual transmigration of his soul, so that it was constantly transmigrating and passing into all sorts of plants or animals.
Believe me, a thousand friends suffice thee not;
In a single enemy thou hast more than enough.
Corn is the sinews of war.
Accustom him to everything, that he may not be a Sir Paris, a carpet-knight, but a sinewy, hardy, and vigorous young man.
Amongst so many borrowed things, I am glad if I can steal one, disguising and altering it for some new service.
And had a face like a blessing.
Let me leap out of the frying-pan into the fire; or, out of God's blessing into the warm sun.
Sing away sorrow, cast away care.
Let every man mind his own business.
Heaven's help is better than early rising.
Make it thy business to know thyself, which is the most difficult lesson in the world.
Liberty ... is one of the most valuable blessings that Heaven has bestowed upon mankind.
Now, blessings light on him that first invented this same sleep! It covers a man all over, thoughts and all, like a cloak; it is meat for the hungry, drink for the thirsty, heat for the cold, and cold for the hot. It is the current coin that purchases all the pleasures of the world cheap, and the balance that sets the king and the shepherd, the fool and the wise man, even.
Man-like is it to fall into sin,
Fiend-like is it to dwell therein;
Christ-like is it for sin to grieve,
God-like is it all sin to leave.
Interest speaks all sorts of tongues, and plays all sorts of parts, even that of disinterestedness.
In the adversity of our best friends we often find something that is not exactly displeasing.
