charles Quotes

“A new idea is delicate. It can be killed by a sneer or a yawn; it can be stabbed to death by a quip and worried to death by a frown on the right man's brow.”

“History shows that the human mind, fed by constant accessions of knowledge, periodically grows too large for its theoretical coverings, and bursts them asunder to appear in new habiliments, as the feeding and growing grub, at intervals, casts its too narrow skin and assumes another.... Truly the imago state of Man seems to be terribly distant, but every moult is a step gained.”

“Men think highly of those who rise rapidly in the world; whereas nothing rises quicker than dust, straw, and feathers.”

“In the survival of favoured individuals and races, during the constantly-recurring struggle for existence, we see a powerful and ever-acting form of selection.”

“Time to me this truth has taught, (Tis a treasure worth revealing) More offend from want of thought Than from want of feeling.”

“Unless a tree has borne blossoms in spring, you will vainly look for fruit on it in autumn.”

“Something as curious as the monarchy won't survive unless you take account of people's attitudes. After all, if people don't want it, they won't have it.”

“My dad said to me growing up: 'When all is said and done, if you can count all your true friends on one hand, you're a lucky man.'”

“Rock 'n' Roll, no roses or gardening.”

“Beauty is power; a smile is its sword.”