Category: philosophy

Blinder than a mole. The ancients thought moles had no eyes, but they have two small eyes, affording them so much sight, as to enable them to know when they have emerged through the earth, and they no sooner perceive the light, than they return into their burrows, where alone they can be safe. This…

They have no nose, or they would have smelt it out. They are dull, heavy, stupid, void of ingenuity or sagacity. “Emunctae naris homo,” that is, he is a man of a clear head, of quick sense, and sound judgment. The sense of smelling has perhaps been taken, preferably to any of the other senses,…

Are Latin phrases used to express the most perfect supineness and indifference on any subject, and which we have adopted : ” I would not give a turn of my hand, or hold out a finger to obtain it,” or, “I value not a straw what such a person may say of me,” or, ”…

The Trojans became wise too late ; they only came to their senses, when their city was on the eve of being taken. Exhausted by a war of ten years, they then began to consult about restoring Helen, on whose account the contest had been undertaken. The adage is applied to persons, who do not…

“To throw cold water on a business,” to retard its progress by idle scruples, or by more than necessary caution, is at least the manner in which the phrase is used by us. As few great actions can be achieved without some danger, or any work of eminence performed without hazard, to magnify these and…

Truth needs not the ornament of many words, it is most lovely then when least adorned. There are circumstances, however, in which art may honestly be used ; when we have any afflicting news to communicate, it is often necessary to prepare the mind for its reception by some general observations : or when we…

You have a weasel in your house, was said to persons with whom everything turned out unfortunate and perverse. To meet a weasel was considered by the ancients as ominous, and portending some misfortune about to happen. Among huntsmen in this country, Erasmus tells us, it was in his time deemed an ill omen, if…

” Familiarite engendre mepris.” ” Familiarity breeds contempt.” “E tribus optimis rebus,” Plutarch says, ” tres pessimae oriuntur,” from three excellent endowments, three of the worst of our affections are produced. Truth begets hatred, familiarity contempt, and success envy. The contrary to this may be, Omne ignotum pro magnifico est. We are apt rather to…