Quotes on Men

I cannot help fearing that men may reach a point where they look on every new theory as a danger, every innovation as a toilsome trouble, every social advance as a first step toward revolution, and that they may absolutely refuse to move at all.

The Artist is he who detects and applies the law from observation of the works of Genius, whether of man or Nature. The Artisan is he who merely applies the rules which others have detected.

Is the babe young? When I behold it, it seems more venerable than the oldest man.

Men have a respect for scholarship and learning greatly out of proportion to the use they commonly serve.

If a man constantly aspires is he not elevated?

Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also a prison.

A man cannot be said to succeed in this life who does not satisfy one friend.

If a man walks in the woods for love of them half of each day, he is in danger of being regarded as a loafer. But if he spends his days as a speculator, shearing off those woods and making the earth bald before her time, he is deemed an industrious and enterprising citizen.

Men have become the tools of their tools.

The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation.

A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to let alone.

Every creature is better alive than dead, men and moose and pine trees, and he who understands it aright will rather preserve its life than destroy it.

I never expect to see a perfect work from an imperfect man.

In the general course of human nature, A power over a man's subsistence amounts to a power over his will.

When the sword is once drawn, the passions of men observe no bounds of moderation.

In the main it will be found that a power over a man's support [salary] is a power over his will.

My fondest hope is that 'Roots' may start black, white, brown, red, yellow people digging back for their own roots. Man, that would make me feel 90 feet tall.

The wise man regulates his conduct by the theories both of religion and science. But he regards these theories not as statements of ultimate fact but as art-forms.

Like other men, I have sought honours and preferment, and often have obtained them beyond my wishes or hopes. Yet never have I found in them that content which I had figured beforehand in my mind. A strong reason, if we well consider it, why we should disencumber ourselves of vain desires.

If a superior give any order to one who is under him which is against that man's conscience, although he do not obey it yet he shall not be dismissed.

'Tis strange what a man may do, and a woman yet think him an angel.