A harmless hilarity and a buoyant cheerfulness are not infrequent concomitants of genius; and we are never more deceived than when we mistake gravity for greatness, solemnity for science, and pomposity for erudition.

Quote by Charles Caleb Colton

Topics: Genius Quotes

He that has energy enough to root out a vice should go further, and try...

He that has energy enough to root out a vice should go further, and try...

There are some frauds so well conducted that it would be stupidity not to be...

There are some frauds so well conducted that it would be stupidity not to be...

There are two way of establishing a reputation, one to be praised by honest people...

There are two way of establishing a reputation, one to be praised by honest people...

The soundest argument will produce no more conviction in an empty head than the most...

The soundest argument will produce no more conviction in an empty head than the most...

Posthumous charities are the very essence of selfishness when bequeathed by those who, even alive,...

Posthumous charities are the very essence of selfishness when bequeathed by those who, even alive,...

To know the pains of power, we must go to those who have it; to...

To know the pains of power, we must go to those who have it; to...

Friendship often ends in love; but love in friendship...never.

Friendship often ends in love; but love in friendship...never.

Afflictions sent by providence melt the constancy of the noble minded, but confirm the obduracy...

Afflictions sent by providence melt the constancy of the noble minded, but confirm the obduracy...

In religion as in politics it so happens that we have less charity for those...

In religion as in politics it so happens that we have less charity for those...

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty; it...

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty; it...

Corruption is like a ball of snow, once it's set a rolling it must increase.

Corruption is like a ball of snow, once it's set a rolling it must increase.

Death is the liberator of him whom freedom cannot release, the physician of him whom...

Death is the liberator of him whom freedom cannot release, the physician of him whom...

Suicide sometimes proceeds from cowardice, but not always; for cowardice sometimes prevents it; since as...

Suicide sometimes proceeds from cowardice, but not always; for cowardice sometimes prevents it; since as...

When millions applaud you seriously ask yourself what harm you have done; and when they...

When millions applaud you seriously ask yourself what harm you have done; and when they...

War kills men, and men deplore the loss; but war also crushes bad principles and...

War kills men, and men deplore the loss; but war also crushes bad principles and...

Friendship often ends in love; but love in friendship - never.

Friendship often ends in love; but love in friendship - never.

The three great apostles of practical atheism, that make converts without persecuting, and retain them...

The three great apostles of practical atheism, that make converts without persecuting, and retain them...

Bigotry murders religion to frighten fools with her ghost.

Bigotry murders religion to frighten fools with her ghost.

Nothing more completely baffles one who is full of trick and duplicity, than straightforward and...

Nothing more completely baffles one who is full of trick and duplicity, than straightforward and...

Law and equity are two things which God has joined, but which man has put...

Law and equity are two things which God has joined, but which man has put...