George Savile, 1st Marquess of Halifax

Nothing would more contribute to make a Man wise, than to have always an Enemy in his view.

MISPENDING a Man's time is a kind of self-homicide, it is making Life to be of no use.

Nothing hath an uglier Look to us than Reason, when it is not of our side.

A Man who is Master of Patience, is Master of everything else.

It is a general Mistake to think the Men we like are good for every thing, and those we do not, good for nothing.

Half the Truth is often as arrant a Lye, as can be made.

A Man may dwell so long upon a Thought, that it may take him Prisoner.

Some Mens Memory is like a Box, where a Man should mingle his Jewels with his old Shoes.

The best Qualification of a Prophet is to have a good Memory.

Men take more pains to hide than to mend themselves.

MANY Men swallow the being cheated, but no Man could ever endure to chew it.

Suspicion seldom wanteth Food to keep it up in Health and Vigour. It feedeth upon every thing it seeth, and is not curious in its Diet.

A wise man will keep his Suspicions muzzled, but he will keep them awake.

He that leaveth nothing to chance will do few things ill, but he will do very few things.

A Man may so overdo it in looking too far before him, that he may stumble the more for it.

A man that should call every thing by its right Name, would hardly pass the Streets without being knock'd down as a common Enemy.

If Men would think how often their own Words are thrown at their Heads, they would less often let them go out of their Mouths.

A Man is to go about his own Business as if he had not a Friend in the World to help him in it.

Men who borrow their Opinions can never repay their Debts. They are Beggars by Nature, and can therefore never get a Stock to grow rich upon.

Modesty is oftner mistaken than any other Virtue.

The condition of mankind is to be weary of what we do know, and afraid of what we do not.

Folly is often more cruel in the consequence, than malice can be in the intent.

Weak men are apt to be cruel.

When by habit a man cometh to have a bargaining soul, its wings are cut, so that it can never soar. It bindeth reason an apprentice to gain, and instead of a director, maketh it a drudge.