O. Henry Quotes

Pride is at the bottom of a great many errors and corruptions, and even of many evil practices, which have a great show and appearance of humility.

Holy joy will be oil to the wheels of our obedience.

Riches, in the hands of a man that is wise and generous, are good for something, but in the hands of a sordid, sneaking, covetous miser, they are good for nothing.

Pure Christianity and serious godliness fear not the scrutiny of a free thought, but despise the impotent malice of a prejudiced one.

The better day, the worse deed.

It is not fit the public trusts should be lodged in the hands of any, till they are first proved and found fit for the business they are to be entrusted with.

Be of good courage, my son, and remember that the best men always make themselves.

The whole economy of this lower world proves that it is by labor and perseverance only that good is obtained and evil is avoided.

Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace! – but there is no peace.

I look on that paper (the Constitution) as the most fatal plan that could possibly be conceived to enslave a free people.

The American Revolution was the grand operation, which seemed to be assigned by the Deity to the men of this age in our country, over and above the common duties of life

It is natural to man to indulge in the illusion of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, till she transforms us into beasts.

Of habit, the power that keeps the earth from flying to pieces; though there is some silly theory of gravitation.

There is this difference between the grief of youth and that of old age; youth's burden is lightened by as much of it as another shares; old age may give and give, but the sorrow remains the same.

East is East, and West is San Francisco

What else can you expect from a town thats shut off from the world by the ocean on one side and New Jersey on the other?

Except in streetcars one should never be unnecessarily rude to a lady.

Surely as cometh the Winter, I know There are Spring violets under the snow.

Mistakes remember'd are not faults forgot.

I only deal in what is real. To be honest, I've never thought about what I could get out of football or where it would take me. I just wanted to play. I'm the same now.

And I don't really like golf. I know a lot of English footballers play, but I know that if I go with the club to play, sooner or later I will end up trying to smash the ball with my foot.

I can’t think of a striker in the world who has scored so many important goals, never mind a midfielder.

I would love this place to be my garden. (on Arsenal's old stadium)

No longer a mark of distinction or proof of achievement, a college education is these days a mere rite of passage, a capstone to adolescent party time.

Having now reached a point where danger might be reasonably apprehended from strolling war parties of Indians, spies were kept in advance and strict diligence observed in the duty of sentinels.

Don't offer God partnership when he wants penitence. Don't present him with lip service when He wants your life.

There are few places in England where you can get so much wildness and desolation of sea and sandhills, wood, green marsh and grey saltings as at Wells in Norfolk.

Like gluttony or drunkenness, hatred seems an agreeable vice when you practice it yourself, but disgusting when observed in others.

To horse and away To the heart of the fray! Fling care to the Devil for one merry day!

To speak the gospel skillfully without attempting to perform the gospel is a false proclamation of the gospel.

Doctrine is nothing but the skin of truth set up and stuffed.

Adversity, if for no other reason, is of benefit, since it is sure to bring a season of sober reflection. People see clearer at such times. Storms purify the atmosphere.

We are always paid for our suspicion by finding what we suspect.

What old people say you cannot do, you try and find that you can. Old deeds for old people, and new deeds for new.

I don't mind The Boss. I think he's an honest guy. I have some of his records, not all of them. I've met a couple of the E-Street guys, and they seem really cool.

If you would convince a man that he does wrong, do right. Men will believe what they see.

The dog is the god of frolic.

I think that there is nothing, not even crime, more opposed to poetry, to philosophy, ay, to life itself than this incessant business.

He is greatest whose strength carries up the most hearts by the attraction of his own.

There is danger that we lose sight of what our friend is absolutely, while considering what she is to us alone.

The heart is forever inexperienced.

I have not the smarts or patience for political office.

A man's true state of power and riches is to be in himself.

All men want, not something to do with, but something to do, or rather something to be.

Where is human nature so weak as in the bookstore?

What sort of philosophers are we, who know absolutely nothing of the origin and destiny of cats?

You need a little bit of insanity to do great things.

To the great tree-loving fraternity we belong. We love trees with universal and unfeigned love, and all things that do grow under them or around them - the whole leaf and root tribe.

I am sorry to think that you do not get a man's most effective criticism until you provoke him. Severe truth is expressed with some bitterness.

I don't hate the government. I don't think the Second Amendment is being infringed upon.