Thomas Fuller

2609. Never think that the Things thou wantest will cure thee of thy Discontents ; for they will enlarge thy Desires, and make the Wounds wider. The Way to think we have enough, is not to desire to have too much.

2597. Keep thy Judgment to thyself. Why should others know what thou art? or paraphrase upon thy Opinion? Herein thou hast the Advantage of changing thy Mind when thou art mistaken, and yet continue ( for ought others know ) in the same …

2593. A prudent and discreet Silence will be sometimes more to thy Advantage, than the most witty expression, or even the best contrived Sincerity. A Man often repents that he has spoken, but seldom that he has held his Tongue.

2591. If I leave thee a moderate Fortune, as my Father left me, and thou provest wise and virtuous, it will be sufficient. It's none of the least of God's Favours, that Wealth comes not trolling in upon us ; for many of us should have been …

2579. If thou findest thou canst not suffer the Impertinencies, Follies, and ill Usages of the World, withdraw from it ; but first be sure thou canst bear with thyself.

2555. When thou shewest Respect to any one, see that thy Submissions be proportionable to the Homage thou owest him. There is Stupidity and Pride in doing too little ; but in over acting of it, there is Abjection and Hypocrisy.

2545. Never defame or accuse any, except thou beest sure and certain of the Fact, and canst speak home to the Purpose : for undoubtful Accusations leave a Stain behind them ; and after prove indelible Injuries to the party accused.

2489. Thou art not Master of what thou hast spoken, but mayest dispose of what thou hast not spoken as thou pleasest, and canst say it, or not say it, as thou wilt.

2463. If thou canst but live free from Debt and Want, 'tis not absolutely necessary to care for more : for all the rest, truly speaking, is but Vanity, and for the most part Vexation too.

2462. Thou canst scarcely be truly wise till thou hast been deceived. Thy own Errors will teach thee more Prudence, than the grave Precepts, and even Examples of others.

2454. If any one giveth thee excessive Praises more than can handsomely belong to thee, thou art to think of him, that he taketh thee for vain and credulous, and easy to be deceived, and effectually a Fool.

2446. The Word Friend is a common Name, and appropriated by most People ; but believe me, thou wilt scarce ever find a Man that gives solid Proof of a true, unfeigned, and uninterested Friendship.

2330. Live not to thyself alone; but have it in Mind, that we are all Members of one Body: and it is as natural to help one another, as for the Hands to help the Feet; and the Eyes the Hands.

2325. Squander not away thy life in Pastimes: There’s but little need to drive away Time, which is ever flying away so swiftly of itself; and when once gone is gone for ever.

2320. Trust not an Enemy, because thou hast done him good Offices: for Men are naturally more prone to revenge Injuries, than to requite Kindnesses.

2168. 'Tis better for thee to be wise and not seem so, than to seem wise and not be so: Yet Men, for the most Part, desire and endeavor the contrary.

2057. Drive away and never endure Tale-bearers : Whoever entertains thee with the Faults of others, designs to serve thee in the same Kind.

2048. Report not an ill Thing that thou thy self knowest not, but by the Report of a Man, who may lie or aggravate the Matter.

2043. He that advised thee not to let the Sun set in thine anger, did not command thee to trust a deceiving Enemy next Morning.

2023. Assist the afflicted with something real, if thou canst; As for Tears they are but Water, what good can they do?

2021. Avoid knowing more than thou needest: Secrets are troublesome Burthens to such as are not interested in them.

2001. Find out thy own Mistakes, and Failings, in order to amend them. A Disease known is half cured.

1978. If thou art wise, thou knowest thy own Ignorance; and thou art ignorant if thou knowest not thy self.

1964. If thou wilt have no Difference with thy Friends; sell them not Horses, nor Goods; and buy nothing of them.