Nothing is so commonplace has the wish to be remarkable.

Quote by Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr

Topics: Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr Quotes

Man's mind, stretched by a new idea, never goes back to its original dimensions.

Man's mind, stretched by a new idea, never goes back to its original dimensions.

Don't be 'consistent,' but be simply true.

Don't be 'consistent,' but be simply true.

The mind of a bigot is like the pupil of the eye. The more light...

The mind of a bigot is like the pupil of the eye. The more light...

Life is an end in itself, and the only question as to whether it is...

Life is an end in itself, and the only question as to whether it is...

A new and valid idea is worth more than a regiment and fewer men can...

A new and valid idea is worth more than a regiment and fewer men can...

I despise making the most of one's time. Half of the pleasures of life consist...

I despise making the most of one's time. Half of the pleasures of life consist...

To have doubted one's own first principles is the mark of a civilized man.

To have doubted one's own first principles is the mark of a civilized man.

The right to swing my fist ends where the other man's nose begins.

The right to swing my fist ends where the other man's nose begins.

As life is action and passion, it is required of a man that he should...

As life is action and passion, it is required of a man that he should...

A man is usually more careful of his money than of his principles.

A man is usually more careful of his money than of his principles.

On the whole, I am on the side of the unregenerate who affirms the worth...

On the whole, I am on the side of the unregenerate who affirms the worth...

Lawyers spend a great deal of their time shoveling smoke.

Lawyers spend a great deal of their time shoveling smoke.

The rule of joy and the law of duty seem to me all one.

The rule of joy and the law of duty seem to me all one.

We should be eternally vigilant against attempts to check the expression of opinions that we...

We should be eternally vigilant against attempts to check the expression of opinions that we...

This is a court of law, young man, not a court of justice.

This is a court of law, young man, not a court of justice.

There is no friend like an old friend who has shared our morning days, no...

There is no friend like an old friend who has shared our morning days, no...

A child's education should begin at least one hundred years before he is born.

A child's education should begin at least one hundred years before he is born.

The only prize much cared for by the powerful is power.

The only prize much cared for by the powerful is power.

To be 70 years young is sometimes far more cheerful and hopeful than to be...

To be 70 years young is sometimes far more cheerful and hopeful than to be...

People talk fundamentals and superlatives and then make some changes of detail.

People talk fundamentals and superlatives and then make some changes of detail.