Quotes from Edgar Watson Howe

Most people have seen worse things in private than they pretend to be shocked at in public.

One has fear in front of a goat, in back of a mule, and on every side of a fool.

Some men storm imaginary Alps all their lives and die in the foothills cursing difficulties which do not exist.

The liberty of the press is most generally approved when it takes liberties with the other fellow, and leaves us alone.

The underdog often starts the fight, and occasionally the upper dog deserves to win.

When a friend is in trouble, don't annoy him by asking if there is any thing you can do. Think up something appropriate and do it.

If you knew how cowardly your enemy is you would slap him. Bravery is knowledge of the cowardice in the enemy.

Many people would be more truthful were it not for their uncontrollable desire to talk.

About all some men accomplish in life is to send a son to Harvard.

If you go to church, and like the singing better than the preaching, that's not orthodox.

A reasonable probability is the only certainty.

Probably no man ever had a friend he did not dislike a little; we are all so constituted by nature that no one can possibly entirely approve of us.

Friends are like a pleasant park where you wish to go; while you may enjoy the flowers, you may not eat them.

What people say behind your back is your standing in the community.

A modest man is usually admired - if people ever hear of him.

A loafer never works except when there is a fire; then he will carry out more furniture than anybody.

Half the unhappiness in the world is due to the failure of plans which were never reasonable, and often impossible.

People are always neglecting something they can do in trying to do something they can't do.

No one can help you in holding a good job except Old Man You.

Farmers worry only during the growing season, but town people worry all the time.

"No wonder the teacher knows so much; she has the book."

A woman might as well propose: her husband will claim she did.

One of the surprising things in this world is the respect a worthless man has for himself

If you knew how cowardly your enemy is you would slap him.