If you always live with those who are lame, you will yourself learn to limp.--FROM THE LATIN.
If men wish to be held in esteem, they must associate with those only who are estimable.--LA BRUYÈRE.
Be very circumspect in the choice of thy company. In the society of thine equals thou shalt enjoy more pleasure; in the society of thy superiors thou shalt find more profit. To be the best in the company is the way to grow worse; the best means to grow better is to be the worst there.--QUARLES.
A companion of fools shall be destroyed.--PROVERBS 13:20.
Choose the company of your superiors whenever you can have it.--LORD CHESTERFIELD.
I set it down as a maxim, that it is good for a man to live where he can meet his betters, intellectual and social.--THACKERAY.
Keep good company, and you shall be of the number.--GEORGE HERBERT.
It is best to be with those in time that we hope to be with in eternity.--FULLER.
ASTRONOMY.--The contemplation of celestial things will make a man both speak and think more sublimely and magnificently when he descends to human affairs.--CICERO.
The sun rejoicing round the earth, announced Daily the wisdom, power and love of God. The moon awoke, and from her maiden face, Shedding her cloudy locks, looked meekly forth, And with her virgin stars walked in the heavens,-- Walked nightly there, conversing as she walked, Of purity, and holiness, and God. --ROBERT POLLOK.
I love to rove amidst the starry height, To leave the little scenes of Earth behind, And let Imagination wing her flight On eagle pinions swifter than the wind. I love the planets in their course to trace; To mark the comets speeding to the sun, Then launch into immeasurable space, Where, lost to human sight, remote they run. I love to view the moon, when high she rides Amidst the heav'ns, in borrowed lustre bright; To fathom how she rules the subject tides, And how she borrows from the sun her light. O! these are wonders of th' Almighty hand, Whose wisdom first the circling orbits planned. --T. RODD.
ATHEISM.--I should like to see a man sober in his habits, moderate, chaste, just in his dealings, assert that there is no God; he would speak at least without interested motives; but such a man is not to be found.--LA BRUYÈRE.