American author (1820-1904)
If it is a distinction to have written a good book, it is also a disgrace to have written a bad one.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
There is probably no hell for authors in the next world--they suffer so much from critics and publishers in this.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
Large natures have usually large desires, and only the small are satisfied with the small.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
The very cunning conceal their cunning; the indifferently shrewd boast of it.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
It is in vain that he seeks dominion abroad, who is not kingly at home.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
It is so natural for us to consider our presence as indispensable in the world, so long as we have much to do in it, that the wisdom of retiring wholly from employments in advanced life may be questioned. Certainly, he who does so is in danger of finding, before long, that he has only given up the occupation to which he has been accustomed, for the new business of calculating the period of his decease.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
This mind of ours, like the earth beneath our feet, teems with exhaustless riches. The conditions of development only are needed.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
The genial optimist who praises much scatters flowers in our way. Grant that he over-praises, or that he applauds where he might condemn, still he makes--no mean result--the world to appear better than it is. A pleasant illusion is better than a harsh reality.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
Like the withered roses of a once gay garland, the feelings of youth command in age a melancholy interest.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
The activity of the young is like that of railcars in motion--they tear along with noise and turmoil, and leave peace behind them. The quietest nooks, invaded by them, lose their quietude as they pass, and recover it only on their departure.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
There are some things best contemplated in silence. Their proportions are so vast that speech cannot get around them.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
It is some compensation for great evils that they enforce great lessons.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
A man cannot paint portraits till he has seen faces.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
Practically all knowledge resolves itself into four forms: the knowledge of what to do, how to do, and when to do, and of what not to do.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
Ambitious princes value inherited kingdoms not so much as conquered provinces.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
Business is but a means. To forget this, and to live for it and in it, as an end, is a cardinal and pernicious mistake, to which much of the want of elevation in the mercantile character is to be ascribed.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
Beauty, when it first discloses the mellowing touches of age, affects us painfully. It is like the tints of sunset, or the beauty of autumn--a melancholy beauty--beauty in decline--upon which we cannot gaze without a feeling of sadness--of sadness that it is passing away.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
Beauty can afford to laugh at distinctions: it is itself the greatest distinction.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
Beauty has the more ardent, but worth the more discriminating lovers.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
An ambition to excel in petty things obstructs the progress to nobler aims.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought