The Oxford Book of Aphorisms.

Oxford Book of Aphorisms
John Gross, ed.
Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press. 1983.

Why read it? A collection of aphorisms listed by topics. Perhaps the best advice for reading books of aphorisms is the aphorism on page 2: “The only way to read a book of aphorisms without being bored is to open it at random and having found something that interests you, close the book and meditate.” Prince DeLigne, 1796.

Herewith, some random aphorisms: “Everything has been said before, but since nobody listens we have to keep going back….” Andre Gide, 1891.

“Everything in the universe goes by indirection; there are no straight lines.” Emerson, 1870.

“Nature to be commanded, must be obeyed.” Francis Bacon, 1620.

“All religions promise a reward for excellences of the will or heart, but none for the excellences of the head or understanding.” Schopenhauer, 1819.

“It is easier to know man in general than to understand one man in particular.” La Rochefoucauld, 1665.

“Man is neither angel nor beast, and it is unfortunately the case that anyone trying to act the angel acts the beast.” Pascal, 1670.

" ‘Tis a disease particular to man and not discerned in any other creatures, to hate and despise itself." Montaigne, 1580/88.

“To say that man is made up of strength and weakness, of insight and blindness, of pettiness and grandeur, is not to draw up an indictment against him: it is to define him.” Diderot, 1762.

“Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted.” Aldous Huxley, 1950.

“Man spends his life in reasoning on the past, in complaining of the present, in fearing for the future.” Antoine Rivarol, late 18th century.

“How many natures lie in human nature!” Pascal, 1670.

“Life resembles a novel more often than novels resemble life.” George Sand.

“What a fine comedy this world would be if one did not play a part in it.” Diderot.

“The love of life is necessary to the vigorous prosecution of any undertaking.” Dr. Johnson, 1750/02.

“Hope is a waking dream.” Aristotle, 4th Century B.C.

“Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.” Pope, 1727.

“Power is much more easily manifested in destroying than in creating.” Wordsworth, 1796.

“To be angry is to revenge the faults of others upon ourselves.” Pope, 1727.

“The memorable thought, the happy expression, the admirable deed are only partly ours.” Thoreau, 1859.

“Life is a maze….” Cyril Connolly, 1944.

“A man may fulfill the object of his existence by asking a question he cannot answer, and attempting a task he cannot achieve.” O.W. Holmes.

“We look back on our life as a thing of broken pieces, because our mistakes and failures are always the first to strike us, and outweigh in our imagination what we have accomplished and attained.” Goethe, Early 19th Century.

Quote: “Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must be first overcome.” Sam. Johnson, 1759.