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When one can do better than everyone else in the same walk, one does not make any very painful exertions to outdo oneself. The progress of improvement ceases nearly at the point where competition ends.

William Hazlitt

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William Hazlitt
Journalist
Literary Critic
Literary Historian
Painter
Philosopher
Writer
Wm. Haslett
William Carew Hazlitt
Doe
Oneself
Exertions
Better
Walk
Exertion
Make
Progress
Ceases
Walks
Improvement
Point
Nearly
Everyone
Cease
Else
Painful
Ends
Competition
Outdo

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Let a man's talents or virtues be what they may, he will only feel satisfaction in his society as he is satisfied in himself.
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The definition of genius is that it acts unconsciously, and those who have produced immortal works have done so without knowing how or why.
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One truth discovered, one pang of regret at not being able to express it, is better than all the fluency and flippancy in the world.
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There is a quiet repose and steadiness about the happiness of age, if the life has been well spent. Its feebleness is not painful. The nervous system has lost its acuteness. But, in mature years we feel that a burn, a scald, a cut, is more tolerable than it was in the sensitive period of youth.
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Corporate bodies are more corrupt and profligate than individuals, because they have more power to do mischief, and are less amenable to disgrace or punishment. They feel neither shame, remorse, gratitude, nor goodwill.
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Those only deserve a monument who do not need one that is, who have raised themselves a monument in the minds and memories of men.
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Time,--the most independent of all things.
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We grow tired of everything but turning others into ridicule, and congratulating ourselves on their defects.
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Violence ever defeats its own ends. Where you cannot drive you can always persuade. A gentle word, a kind look, a god-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles. There is a secret pride in every human heart than revolts at tyranny. You may order and drive an individual, but you cannot make him respect you.
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A proud man is satisfied with his own good opinion, and does not seek to make converts to it.
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It is better to be able neither to read nor write than to be able to do nothing else.
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A gentleman is one who understands and shows every mark of deference to the claims of self-love in others, and exacts it in return from them.
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The way to procure insults is to submit to them. A man meets with no more respect than he exacts.
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Popularity disarms envy in well-disposed minds. Those are ever the most ready to do justice to others who feel that the world has done them justice. When success has not this effect in opening the mind, it is a sign that it has been ill deserved.
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The ignorance of the world leaves one at the mercy of its malice.
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There is no prejudice so strong as that which arises from a fancied exemption from all prejudice.
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Our energy is in proportion to the resistance it meets. We attempt nothing great but from a sense of the difficulties we have to encounter, we persevere in nothing great but from a pride in overcoming them.
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To speak highly of one with whom we are intimate is a species of egotism. Our modesty as well as our jealousy teaches us caution on this subject.
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When I take up a book I have read before, I know what to expect the satisfaction is not lessened by being anticipated. I shake hands with, and look our old tried and valued friend in the face,--compare notes and chat the hour away.
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As is our confidence, so is our capacity.
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