90 Quotes by Owen Feltham

Contemplation is necessary to generate an object, but action must propagate it.

He that, when he should not, spends too much, shall, when he would not, have too little to spend.

No man can expect to find a friend without faults; nor can he propose himself to be so to another. Without reciprocal mildness and temperance there can be no continuance of friendship. Every man will have something to do for his friend, and something to bear with in him. The sober man only can do the first; and for the latter, patience is requisite. It is better for a man to depend on himself, than to be annoyed with either a madman or a fool.

The noblest part of a friend is an honest boldness in the notifying of errors. He that tells me of a fault, aiming at my good, I must think him wise and faithful--wise in spying that which I see not; faithful in a plain admonishment, not tainted with flattery.

Men are like wine,--not good before the lees of clownishness be settled.

It is a most unhappy state to be at a distance with God: man needs no greater infelicity than to be left to himself.

Honesty is a warrant of far more safety than fame.

There is no man but for his own interest hath an obligation to be honest. There may be sometimes temptations to be otherwise; but, all cards cast up, he shall find it the greatest ease, the highest profit, the best pleasure, the most safety, and the noblest fame, to hold the horns of this altar, which, in all assays, can in himself protect him.

When two friends part they should lock up one another's secrets, and interchange their keys.