Quotes from Owen Feltham

Perfection is immutable. But for things imperfect, change is the way to perfect them.

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.

He that despairs degrades the Deity, and seems to intimate that He is insufficient, or not just to His word; and in vain hath read the scriptures, the world, and man.

We pick our own sorrows out of the joys of other men, and from their sorrows likewise we derive our joys.

The boundary of man is moderation. When once we pass that pale our guardian angel quits his charge of us.

There is no detraction worse than to overpraise a man, for if his worth proves short of what report doth speak of him, his own actions are ever giving the lie to his honor.

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.

Men are like wine,--not good before the lees of clownishness be settled.

All men will be Peters in their bragging tongue, and most men will be Peters in their base denial; but few men will be Peters in their quick repentance.

It is a most unhappy state to be at a distance with God: man needs no greater infelicity than to be left to himself.

That man is but of the lower part of the world that is not brought up to business and affairs.

The irresolute man flecks from one egg to another, so hatches nothing.

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.

I love the man that is modestly valiant; that stirs not till he most needs, and then to purpose. A continued patience I commend not.

Meditation is the soul's perspective glass, whereby, in her long remove, she discerneth God, as if He were nearer at hand.

God has made no one absolute.

Honesty is a warrant of far more safety than fame.

How many would die did not hope sustain them.

Zeal without humanity is like a ship without a rudder, liable to be stranded at any moment

It is rare to see a rich man religious; for religion preaches restraint, and riches prompt to unlicensed freedom.

The greatest results in life are usually attained by simple means and the exercise of ordinary qualities. These may for the most part be summed up in these two - common sense and perseverance.

The greatest results in life are usually attained by common sense and perseverance.

Meditation is the soul's perspective glass.

Praise has different effects, according to the mind it meets with; it makes a wise man modest, but a fool more arrogant, turning his weak brain giddy.