William Benton Quotes
Man often acquires just so much knowledge as to discover his ignorance, and attains so much experience as to regret his follies, and then dies.
There is such a delusion as evinces itself in cool vehemence; and it is the most dangerous of all expressions of fanaticism.
Time sheds a softness on remote objects or events, as local distance imparts to the landscape a smoothness and mellowness which disappear on a nearer approach.
The effusions of genius are entitled to admiration rather than applause, as they are chiefly the effect of natural endowment, and sometimes appear to be almost involuntary.
Scandal is the sport of its authors, the dread of fools, and the contempt of the wise.
The fame which bids fair to live the longest resembles that which Horace attributes to Marcellus, whose progress he compares to the silent, imperceptible growth of a tree.
Philosophy abounds more than philosophers, and learning more than learned men.
The Chinese, whom it might be well to disparage less and imitate more, seem almost the only people among whom learning and merit have the ascendency, and wealth is not the standard of estimation.
Error is sometimes so nearly allied to truth that it blends with it as imperceptibly as the colors of the rainbow fade into each other.
Topics of conversation among the multitude are generally persons, sometimes things, scarcely ever principles.
On many of the great issues of our time men have lacked wisdom because they have lacked courage.
