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Literary
January 13, 1786
Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
An extract from 'Specimens of Oriental Wit and Wisdom' featuring a series of aphorisms on moral virtues, human folly, wise governance, the pursuit of desires, and relations with others, drawing from Oriental philosophical insights.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
An EXTRACT from "Specimens of Oriental Wit and Wisdom."
Four things should never flatter us: familiarity with princes, the caresses of women, the smiles of our enemies, nor a warm day in winter, for these things are not of a long duration.
Your own reason is an error; therefore it cannot discern an error; to stick firmly to one's own sentiments and opinions, is the way to err: for since you can never reason but upon what is to happen, and the contingency of things, all your thoughts and reasonings will conduct you into the darkness of pride and obstinacy.
The worst of princes is he whom the good fear, and the bad hope; it is very difficult, however, to distinguish the bad from the good, ultimately.
If an ignorant person perceives in himself one virtue, he thinks he has an hundred; and if he has otherwise a thousand faults, he sees none of them; but when he observes any defect in an excellent person, he imagines he has a thousand.
He alone is worthy the esteem of mankind, who has a beautiful soul like a diamond, obscured by no speck.
Do not serve that which understands not, nor sees not, nor what brings you no profit. It is astonishing that men of this world pay their court to creatures, and forsake their Creator: they forget to ask of him who is rich, and they endeavor to be assisted by those who are under a necessity of begging.
He that thinks to content his desires by the possession of what he wishes for, is like him who put out fire with straw.
You cannot draw a line but must have a beginning and an end: a wise man knows the principle and origin of all things; and, secondly, is not ignorant of their end. As long as old age shall succeed to youth, and the earth turn round the sun, be old in counsel and young in fortune; so that both old and young may seek to serve you.
The Mahometans esteem fools saints; and they add, with more sense, that wisdom is looked upon as folly by people of this world, which very wisdom consists in folly. Some things may be compared to the eye which appears black, but is, when examined, a body of light.
You have spoke well to-day, but have you thought on what you are to do to-morrow? You ridicule me, because you know what I do? Did I know your actions I could return it.
Happy are those that know us not, as well as those we do not know; for if we know any one, it serves him only to prolong his labours, and interrupt his sleep.
Let us behave so well to our enemies as to make them our friends, and caress our friends in such a manner as to attach them invariably to our interest.
Wise men use liberally their estates, and during their life make their friends partakers of them: but the avaricious are so foolish, that they amass riches even for their enemies.
Four things should never flatter us: familiarity with princes, the caresses of women, the smiles of our enemies, nor a warm day in winter, for these things are not of a long duration.
Your own reason is an error; therefore it cannot discern an error; to stick firmly to one's own sentiments and opinions, is the way to err: for since you can never reason but upon what is to happen, and the contingency of things, all your thoughts and reasonings will conduct you into the darkness of pride and obstinacy.
The worst of princes is he whom the good fear, and the bad hope; it is very difficult, however, to distinguish the bad from the good, ultimately.
If an ignorant person perceives in himself one virtue, he thinks he has an hundred; and if he has otherwise a thousand faults, he sees none of them; but when he observes any defect in an excellent person, he imagines he has a thousand.
He alone is worthy the esteem of mankind, who has a beautiful soul like a diamond, obscured by no speck.
Do not serve that which understands not, nor sees not, nor what brings you no profit. It is astonishing that men of this world pay their court to creatures, and forsake their Creator: they forget to ask of him who is rich, and they endeavor to be assisted by those who are under a necessity of begging.
He that thinks to content his desires by the possession of what he wishes for, is like him who put out fire with straw.
You cannot draw a line but must have a beginning and an end: a wise man knows the principle and origin of all things; and, secondly, is not ignorant of their end. As long as old age shall succeed to youth, and the earth turn round the sun, be old in counsel and young in fortune; so that both old and young may seek to serve you.
The Mahometans esteem fools saints; and they add, with more sense, that wisdom is looked upon as folly by people of this world, which very wisdom consists in folly. Some things may be compared to the eye which appears black, but is, when examined, a body of light.
You have spoke well to-day, but have you thought on what you are to do to-morrow? You ridicule me, because you know what I do? Did I know your actions I could return it.
Happy are those that know us not, as well as those we do not know; for if we know any one, it serves him only to prolong his labours, and interrupt his sleep.
Let us behave so well to our enemies as to make them our friends, and caress our friends in such a manner as to attach them invariably to our interest.
Wise men use liberally their estates, and during their life make their friends partakers of them: but the avaricious are so foolish, that they amass riches even for their enemies.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Political
Religious
What keywords are associated?
Aphorisms
Wisdom
Princes
Virtue
Creator
Desires
Avarice
Enemies
Friends
Literary Details
Title
An Extract From "Specimens Of Oriental Wit And Wisdom."
Form / Style
Collection Of Aphorisms
Key Lines
Four Things Should Never Flatter Us: Familiarity With Princes, The Caresses Of Women, The Smiles Of Our Enemies, Nor A Warm Day In Winter, For These Things Are Not Of A Long Duration.
The Worst Of Princes Is He Whom The Good Fear, And The Bad Hope; It Is Very Difficult, However, To Distinguish The Bad From The Good, Ultimately.
Do Not Serve That Which Understands Not, Nor Sees Not, Nor What Brings You No Profit. It Is Astonishing That Men Of This World Pay Their Court To Creatures, And Forsake Their Creator: They Forget To Ask Of Him Who Is Rich, And They Endeavor To Be Assisted By Those Who Are Under A Necessity Of Begging.
He That Thinks To Content His Desires By The Possession Of What He Wishes For, Is Like Him Who Put Out Fire With Straw.
Wise Men Use Liberally Their Estates, And During Their Life Make Their Friends Partakers Of Them: But The Avaricious Are So Foolish, That They Amass Riches Even For Their Enemies.