Sense shines with a double luster when it is set in humility. An able yet humble man is a jewel worth a kingdom.
William PennRead
Avoid flatterers, for they are thieves in disguise.
Interpretation
Flatterers manipulate by offering insincere praise, hiding their true intentions.
The quote by William Penn cautions against the dangers of flattery, suggesting that those who flatter do so with ulterior motives, essentially stealing one's trust and sincerity. Flatterers are often deceptive individuals who can lead us astray under the guise of compliments, making it crucial to remain aware of their intentions to protect our integrity and relationships.
In practice
This quote could be used in a discussion about maintaining authentic relationships.
Sense shines with a double luster when it is set in humility. An able yet humble man is a jewel worth a kingdom.
Where thou art Obliged to speak, be sure speak the Truth: For Equivocation is half way to Lying, as Lying, the whole way to Hell.
Man, being made reasonable, and so a thinking creature, there is nothing more worthy of his being than the right direction and employment of his thoughts; since upon this depends both his usefulness to the public, and his own present and future benefit in all respects.
Do good with what thou hast, or it will do thee no good.
To be a man's own fool is bad enough, but the vain man is everybody's.
Unless virtue guide us our choice must be wrong.
Our echoes roll from soul to soul, And grow for ever and for ever.
To plunder, to lie, to show your arse, are three essentials for climbing high.
What is the good life? What is the good man? The good woman? What is the good society and what is my relation to it? What are my obligations to society? What is best for my children? What is justice? Truth? Virtue? What is my relation to nature, to death, to aging, to pain, to illness? How can I live a zestful, enjoyable, meaningful life? What is my responsibility to my brothers? Who are my brothers? What shall I be loyal to? What must I be ready to die for?
No one would have doubted his ability to reign had he never been emperor.
Can honor's voice provoke the silent dust, or flattery soothe the dull, cold ear of death?
Memoir is not an act of history but an act of memory, which is innately corrupt.
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