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A Wise man knows that much of what he says and does is commonplace and trivial. His thoughts are not all solemn and sacred in his own eyes. He is able to laugh at himself and is not offended when others make him a subject whereon to exercise their wit.

John Lancaster Spalding

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John Lancaster Spalding
Age: 76 †
Born: 1840
Born: June 2
Died: 1916
Died: August 25
Author
Biographer
Catholic Priest
Lebanon
Kentucky
Men
Wise
Subject
Eyes
Sacred
Eye
Laugh
Whereon
Others
Subjects
Trivial
Doe
Exercise
Commonplace
Able
Thoughts
Solemn
Much
Laughing
Offended
Make
Says
Wit

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In giving us dominion over the animal kingdom God has signified His will that we subdue the beast within ourselves.
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If we attempt to sink the soul in matter, its light is quenched.
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We shrink from the contemplation of our dead bodies, forgetting that when dead they are no longer ours, and concern us as little as the hairs that have fallen from our heads.
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Few know the joys that spring from a disinterested curiosity. It is like a cheerful spirit that leads us through worlds filled with what is true and fair, which we admire and love because it is true and fair.
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The noblest are they who turning from the things the vulgar crave, seek the source of a blessed life in worlds to which the senses do not lead.
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To cultivate the memory we should confide to it only what we understand and love: the rest is a useless burden for simply to know by rote is not to know at all.
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We may outgrow the things of children, without acquiring sense and relish for those which become a man.
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Though what we accept be true, it is a prejudice unless we ourselves have considered and understood why and how it is true.
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Be watchful lest thou lose the power of desiring and loving what appeals to the soul this is the miser's curse this the chain and ball the sensualist drags.
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To think of education as a means of preserving institutions however excellent, is to have a superficial notion of its end and purpose, which is to mould and fashion men who are more than institutions, who create, outgrow, and re-create them.
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Worry, whatever its source, weakens, takes away courage, and shortens life.
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It is a common error to imagine that to be stirring and voluble in a worthy cause is to be good and to do good.
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To secure approval one must remain within the bounds of conventional mediocrity. Whatever lies beyond, whether it be greater insight and virtue, or greater stolidity and vice, is condemned. The noblest men, like the worst criminals, have been done to death.
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We may avoid much disappointment and bitterness of soul by learning to understand how little necessary to our joy and peace are the things the multitude most desire and seek.
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Those subjects have the greatest educational value, which are richest in incentives to the noblest self-activity.
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The world is a mirror into which we look, and see our own image.
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The doubt of an earnest, thoughtful, patient and laborious mind is worthy of respect. In such doubt may be found indeed more faith than in half the creeds.
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The exercise of authority is odious, and they who know how to govern, leave it in abeyance as much as possible.
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