Favorite aphorisms

[A_Non_Ymous]

An aphorism and a maxim (cf. La Rochefoucould) aren't exactly the same thing, although there are sometimes intersections.

Let's post some of our favorite aphorisms here, in brief. One aphorism to a post.

My first contribution is from an odd-but-entertaining, and not very widely known writer, the author of the notorious Kai Lung books.

"... there are few situations in life that cannot be honourably settled, and without loss of time, either by suicide, a bag of gold, or thrusting a despised antagonist over the edge of a precipice on a dark night."

One of my favorites, that one. Bramah made a number of good ones, but I've set the rule of one-per-posting.

LSN

[PsychicWarVeteran]

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.

[Whiskers]

A watched pot never boils.

[DeeCrowSeer]

I 'ad that Oscar Wilde in the back o' me cab the other week, and he says to me...

The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it.

... so I drove orff without givin' 'im 'is change. :D

[xidrep]

On the Wildian theme:

'An infatuation and a lifelong passion are the same, except the infatuation lasts longer'

Or something like that. I paraphrased him, je crois.

[PsychicWarVeteran]

George Bernard Shaw once said, "Crude classifications and [broken link]false generalizations are the curse of organized life."

[A_Non_Ymous]

A liitle something from the author of The Way of All Flesh:

Is life worth living? This is a question for an embryo, not for a man.

LSN

[A_Non_Ymous]

And a little something from Lord Acton:

Fanaticism in religion is the alliance of the passions she condemns with the dogmas she professes.

LSN

[A_Non_Ymous]

And a fine quote from the author of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire:

The various modes of worship which prevailed in the Roman world were all considered by the people as equally true; by the philosopher as equally false; and by the magistrate as equally useful.

This one may still be true.

LSN

[A_Non_Ymous]

And after the amusing use to which I put Schopenhauer in "The Martian Sojourner," here's something of his I like:

Religion is the masterpiece of the art of animal training, for it trains people as to how they shall think.

LSN

[A_Non_Ymous]

And here's a low-budget original:

Apologies are like arsewipes. They should be disposed of as quickly as possible, and without undue examination.

Hm, perhaps it's not quite ready to associate with Schopenhauer or Lord Acton or Samuel Butler. :lol:

LSN

[xidrep]

It's certainly more visceral :)

[DeeCrowSeer]

Now, words of wisdom from an international espionage agent, and former freelance fashion journalist:

Only buy clothes that make you feel like doing a small dance.

[PsychicWarVeteran]

If I were granted omnipotence, and millions of years to experiment in, I should not think Man much to boast of as the final result of all my efforts.

[PsychicWarVeteran]

The Mackerel Plaza[/i],]It is the final proof of God's omnipotence that he need not exist in order to save us.