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Perfection is immutable. But for things imperfect change is the way to perfect them. It gets the name of wilfulness when it will not admit of a lawful change to the better. Therefore constancy without knowledge cannot be always good. In things ill it is not virtue, but an absolute vice.

Owen Feltham

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Owen Feltham
Died: 1668
Died: January 1
Writer
Owen Felltham
Change
Therefore
Imperfect
Better
Gets
Vice
Without
Name
Ill
Way
Virtue
Admit
Good
Names
Vices
Always
Knowledge
Absolutes
Lawful
Things
Perfect
Absolute
Immutable
Cannot
Perfection
Constancy

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Where there is plenty, charity is a duty, not a courtesy
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To trust God when we have securities in our iron chest is easy, but not thankworthy but to depend on him for what we cannot see, as it is more hard for man to do, so it is more acceptable to God.
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He that always waits upon God is ready whenever He calls. Neglect not to set your accounts even he is a happy man who to lives as that death at all times may find him at leisure to die.
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The irresolute man flecks from one egg to another, so hatches nothing.
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For converse among men, beautiful persons have less need of the mind's commending qualities. Beauty in itself is such a silent orator, that it is ever pleading for respect and liking, and by the eyes of others is ever sending, to their hearts for love.
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Virtue dwells at the head of a river, to which we cannot get but by rowing against the stream.
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Perfection is immutable. But for things imperfect, change is the way to perfect them.
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When two friends part they should lock up one another's secrets, and interchange their keys.
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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.
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Virtue were a kind of misery if fame were all the garland that crowned her.
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By gaming we lose both our time and treasure - two things most precious to the life of man.
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A sentence well couched takes both the sense and understanding. I love not those cart-rope speeches that are longer than the memory of man can fathom.
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It is to be doubted whether he will ever find the way to heaven who desires to go thither alone.
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Discontents are sometimes the better part of our life. I know not well which is the most useful joy I may choose for pleasure, but adversities are the best for profit and sometimes those do so far help me, as I should, without them, want much of the joy I have.
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Business is the salt of life, which not only gives a grateful smack to it, but dries up those crudities that would offend, preserves from putrefaction and drives off all those blowing flies that would corrupt it.
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Show me the man who would go to heaven alone if he could, and in that man I will show you one who will never be admitted into heaven.
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In business, three things are necessary: knowledge, temper, and time.
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The boundary of man is moderation. When once we pass that pale our guardian angel quits his charge of us.
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Discontent is like ink poured into water, which fills the whole fountain full of blackness.
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Zeal without humanity is like a ship without a rudder, liable to be stranded at any moment
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