American author (1820-1904)
What we call conscience, in many instances, is only a wholesome fear of the constable.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
The questions most furiously discussed are those which have in them a basis of truth, and yet a large admixture of errors. We inconsiderately take hold of, and mistakingly support or oppose them, as either wholly true or wholly false.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
The method of the critic is to balance praises with censure, and thus to do justice to the subject and--his own discrimination.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
The legitimate aim of criticism is to direct attention to the excellent. The bad will dig its own grave.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
Some dangers are to be courted--courted and braved as a coy mistress is to be wooed, with all the more vigor as the day makes against us.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
Our happiness depends chiefly upon the estimate we form of life, and the efforts we make to bring ourselves into harmony with its laws.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
Love of children is the homage of the heart to unsullied purity. Indeed, children are the bright side of life. From our sins and sorrows, how refreshing is it to turn to their artless ways and purer joys! Would that they could all be so educated, as not, in their after-years, to darken life by their offenses!
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
Hunting is a relic of the barbarism that once thirsted for human blood, but is now content with the blood of animals.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
He must put his whole life into his work, who would do it well, and make it potential to influence other lives.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
He half retrieves a defeat who yields to it gracefully.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
Habits influence the character pretty much as undercurrents influence a vessel, and whether they speed us on the way of our wishes, or retard our progress, their influence is not the less important because imperceptible.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
Genius makes its observations in short hand; talent writes them out at length.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
Fame: A few words upon a tombstone, and the truth of those not to be depended on.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
Excellence in art is largely the result of attention to minutiae, and--prayer.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
A perfect work destroys the critic's art.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
Partial culture runs to the ornate; extreme culture to simplicity.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
God has created too few unmixed evils to warrant the belief that death is one of them. In all things else in nature, goodness so abounds that we are authorized to infer that it does not stop even at the grave. It is only that her footprints have become invisible.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
As well might a flower complain of the bee which its sweetness attracts, as a pretty girl of being gazed at when she goes abroad. But the complaint is seldom made in earnest.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
Next to living with honor is to die with honor.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
Men, like musical instruments, seem made to be played upon.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought