The Cyclopedia of Practical Quotations

Every quotation a nineteenth-century speaker or writer might want, grouped under its subject, with the author, the date and the source given as exactly as Hoyt could manage.

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Opinion: Quotations from Cyclopedia of Practical Quotations

Ye who dwell at home, Ye do not know the terrors of the main.— SOUTHEY — Madoc in Wales. Pt. IV.
I loved the Sea. Whether in calm it glassed the gracious day With all its light, the night with all its fires; Whether in storm it lashed its sullen spray, Wild as the heart when passionate youth expires; Or lay, as now, a torture to my mind, In yonder land-locked bay, unwrinkled by the wind.— R. H. STODDARD — Carmen Naturæ Triumphale. L. 192.
Thou wert before the Continents, before The hollow heavens, which like another sea Encircles them and thee, but whence thou wert, And when thou wast created, is not known, Antiquity was young when thou wast old.— R. H. STODDARD — Hymn to the Sea.. L. 104.
We follow and race In shifting chase, Over the boundless ocean-space! Who hath beheld when the race begun? Who shall behold it run?— BAYARD TAYLOR — The Waves.
Rocked in the cradle of the deep, I lay me down in peace to sleep.— EMMA WILLARD — The Cradle of the
Deep. Ocean into tempest wrought, To waft a feather, or to drown a fly. S.— YOUNG — Night Thoughts. Night I. L. 153.
Sure 'tis an orthodox opinion, That grace is founded in dominion.— BUTLER — Hudibras. Pt. I. Canto III. L. 1,173.
With books and money plac'd, for show Like nest eggs, to make clients lay, And for his false opinion pay. и.— BUTLER — Hudibras. Pt. III. Canto III. L. 624.
For most men (till by losing rendered sager) Will back their own opinions by a wager.— BYRON — Beppo. St. 27.
Monuments of the safety with which errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it.— THOMAS JEFFERSON — First Inaugural
Address. March 4, 1801. Even opinion is of force enough to make itself to be espoused at the expense of life.— MONTAIGNE — Of Good and Evil. Ch. XL.
There never was in the world two opinions alike, no more than two hairs, or two grains; the most universal quality is diversity.— MONTAIGNE — Essays. Of the
Resemblance of Children to their Fathers. What will Mrs. Grundy say!— THOS. MORTON — Speed the Plough. Act I. Sc. 1.
Some praise at morning what they blame at night, But always think the last opinion right.— POPE — Essay on Criticism. Pt. II. L. 230.
I have bought Golden opinions from all sorts of people, Which would be worn now in their newest gloss, Not cast aside so soon.— Shakespeare — Macbeth. Act I. Sc. 7. L. 32.
Opinion's but a fool, that makes us scan The outward habit by the inward man.— Shakespeare — Pericles. Act II. Sc. 2. L. 56.
Magister artis ingeniique largitor venter. The belly is the teacher of art and the bestower of genius.— PERSIUS — Satiræ. Prologue. X.
Qui e nuce nucleum esse vult, frangat nucem. He who would eat the kernel, must crack the shell.— PLAUTUS — Curculio. I. 1. 55.
Efficacior omni arte imminens necessitas. Necessity when threatening is more powerful than device of man.— QUINTUS CURTIUS RUFUS — De Rebus
Gestis Alexandri Magni. IV. 3.
Denique non omnes eadem mirantur amantque. All men do not, in fine, admire or love the same thing.— HORACE — Epistolæ. II. 2. 58.
Nequam hominis ego parvi pendo gratiam. I set little value on the esteem of a worthless man.— PLAUTUS — Bacchides. III. 6. 29.
Quot homines, tot sententiæ. As many men, so many opinions.— TERENCE — Phormio. II. 4. 14.
Scinditur incertum studia in contraria vulgus. The uncertain multitude is divided by opposite opinions.— S. VIRGIL — Eneid. II. 39.
Ils ont les textes pour eux; disait-il, j'en suis faché pour les textes. They have the texts in their favor; said he, so much the worse for the texts.— ROYER-COLLARD — Words of disapproval
of the Fathers of Port Royal on their doctrine of grace.
Ernst ist der Anblick der Nothwendigkeit. Stern is the visage of necessity.— SCHILLER — Wallenstein's Tod. I. 4.
45. Denn nur vom Nutzen wird die Welt regiert. For the world is ruled by interest alone.— SCHILLER — Wallenstein's Tod. I. 6. 37.
Necessità c'induce, e non diletto. It is necessity and not pleasure that compels us.— DANTE — Inferno. XII. 87.
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