1820-1904, American Author, Lawyer
A book should be luminous not voluminous.
Christian Nevell Bovee – [Writers and Writing]
A failure establishes only this, that our determination to succeed was not strong enough.
Christian Nevell Bovee – [Failure]
A pleasant illusion is better than a harsh reality.
Christian Nevell Bovee – [Illusion]
Affliction, like the iron-smith, shapes as it smites.
Christian Nevell Bovee – [Affliction]
All men are alike in their lower natures; it is in their higher characters that they differ.
Christian Nevell Bovee – [Character]
Bad taste is a species of bad morals.
Christian Nevell Bovee – [Taste]
Courage enlarges, cowardice diminishes resources. In desperate straits the fears of the timid aggravate the dangers that imperil the brave.
Christian Nevell Bovee – [Courage]
Dishonest people conceal their faults from themselves as well as others, honest people know and confess them.
Christian Nevell Bovee – [Honesty]
Doubt whom you will, but never yourself.
Christian Nevell Bovee – [Doubt]
Enthusiasm is the inspiration of everything great. Without it no man is to be feared, and with it none despised.
Christian Nevell Bovee – [Enthusiasm]
Every trait of beauty may be referred to some virtue, as to innocence, candor, generosity, modesty, or heroism. St. Pierre To cultivate the sense of the beautiful, is one of the most effectual ways of cultivating an appreciation of the divine goodness.
Christian Nevell Bovee – [Beauty]
Example has more followers than reason. We unconsciously imitate what pleases us, and approximate to the characters we most admire.
Christian Nevell Bovee – [Example]
False friends are like our shadow, keeping close to us while we walk in the sunshine, but leaving us the instant we cross into the shade.
Christian Nevell Bovee – [Friends and Friendship]
For cowards the road of desertion should be left open; they will carry over to the enemy nothing, but their fears.
Christian Nevell Bovee – [Coward and Cowardice]
Formerly when great fortunes were only made in war, war was business; but now when great fortunes are only made by business: Business is war!
Christian Nevell Bovee – [Business]
Genius makes its observations in short-hand; talent writes them out at length.
Christian Nevell Bovee – [Genius]
Good men have the fewest fears. He has but one great fear who fears to do wrong; he has a thousand who has overcome it.
Christian Nevell Bovee – [Fear]
Hope is the best part of our riches.
Christian Nevell Bovee – [Hope]
If one is not virtuous he becomes vicious.
Christian Nevell Bovee – [Virtue]
Imitation belittles.
Christian Nevell Bovee – [Imitation]