Felicity Quotes - Page 6

• she was oppressed, she was overcome by her own felicity; and happily disposed as is the human mind to be easily familiarized with any change for the better, it required several hours to give sedateness to her spirits, or any degree of tranquillity to her heart.

  Jane Austen

  Heart, Giving, Mind

  Jane Austen (2015). “Sense and Sensibility: Top 100 Classic Novels”, p.264, 谷月社

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• It is scarcely possible that the eyes of contemporaries should discover in the public felicity the latent causes of decay and corruption. This long peace, and the uniform government of the Romans, introduced a slow and secret poison into the vitals of the empire. The minds of men were gradually reduced to the same level, the fire of genius was extinguished, and even the military spirit evaporated.

  Edward Gibbon

  Military, Eye, Men

  The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire ch. 2 (1776 - 1788)

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• I grew convinced that truth, sincerity and integrity in dealings between man and man were of the utmost importance to the felicity of life, and I formed written resolutions . . . to practice them ever while I lived.

  Benjamin Franklin

  Honesty, Integrity, Men

  Benjamin Franklin, Horatio Hastings WELD (1849). “Benjamin Franklin: his Autobiography, with a narrative of his public life and services by H. H. Weld”, p.98

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• We rich men count our felicity and happiness to lie in these superfluities, and not in those necessary things.

  Plutarch

  Happiness, Lying, Men

  Plutarch (1871). “Plutarch's Morals”, p.303

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• It is odd to watch with what feverish ardour Americans pursue prosperity, ever tormented by the shadowy suspicion that they might not have chosen the shortest route to get it. They cleave to the things of this world as if assured they will never die, and yet rush to snatch any that comes within their reach, as if they expected to stop living before relishing them. Death steps in, in the end, and stops them, before they have grown tired of this futile pursuit of that complete felicity which always escapes them.

  Alexis de Tocqueville

  Tired, Watches, World

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• The Heavenly City outshines Rome beyond comparison. There, instead of victory, is truth; instead of high rank, holiness; instead of peace, felicity; instead of life, eternity.

  Saint Augustine

  Rome, Cities, Victory

  Saint Augustine (2003). “City of God”, p.157, Penguin UK

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• If sensuality were happiness, beasts were happier than men; but human felicity is lodged in the soul, not in the flesh.

  Seneca the Younger

  Happiness, Men, Soul

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• Can it be, that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a Nation with its virtue? The experiment, at least, is recommended by every sentiment which ennobles human Nature. Alas! is it rendered impossible by its vices?

  George Washington

  Vices, Impossible, Human Nature

  George Washington, Andrew Jackson (1862). “Washington's Farewell Address: The Proclamation of Jackson Against Nullification, and the Declaration of Independence”, p.9

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• Some of the Fathers went so far as to esteem the love of music a sign of predestination, as a thing divine, and reserved for the felicities of heaven itself.

  William Temple

  Father, Inspiration, Heaven

  Sir William Temple, Jonathan Swift (1757). “The Works of Sir William Temple Bart,: Complete in Four Volumes Octavo. : To which is Prefixed, The Life and Character of the Author”, p.429

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• Can it be that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a nation with its virtue?

  George Washington

  Liberty, Virtue, Providence

  George Washington, John Jay, Jared Sparks (1850). “Washington's Farewell Address to the People of the United States of America”, p.38, New York : J. Wiley

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• Ods me I marle what pleasure or felicity they have in taking their roguish tobacco. It is good for nothing but to choke a man, and fill him full of smoke and embers.

  Ben Jonson

  Men, Cigarette Smoke, Smoking

  'Every Man in His Humour' (1598) act 3, sc. 5

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• A garden was the primitive prison, till man with Promethean felicity and boldness, luckily sinned himself out of it.

  Charles Lamb

  Men, Garden, Evil

  Charles Lamb (1838). “The letters of Charles Lamb, with a sketch of his life. The poetical works”, p.284

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• It is, indeed, at home that every man must be known by those who would make a just estimate either of his virtue or felicity; for smiles and embroidery are alike occasional, and the mind is often dressed for show in painted honor, and fictitious benevolence.

  Samuel Johnson

  Home, Men, Honor

  "The Rambler No. 68" by Samuel Johnson, November 10, 1750.

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• Let a man choose what condition he will, and let him accumulate around him all the goods and gratifications seemingly calculated to make him happy in it; if that man is left at any time without occupation or amusement, and reflects on what he is, the meagre, languid felicity of his present lot will not bear him up. He will turn necessarily to gloomy anticipations of the future; and unless his occupation calls him out of himself, he is inevitably wretched.

  Blaise Pascal

  Happiness, Men, Occupation

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• Really? And what curse befalls the Adams of the world?" Ann opens her mouth and, presumably thinking of nothing to say, closes it again. It is Felicity who answers, eyes steely. "They are weak to temptation. And we are their temptresses.

  Libba Bray

  Eye, Thinking, Temptation

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• Felicity grimaced in agreement. “No, you are perfectly correct. I did not realize how vital the approbation of one’s butler is in allowing for nocturnal autonomy.

  Gail Carriger

  Agreement, Nocturnal, Realizing

  Gail Carriger (2011). “Heartless: Book 4 of The Parasol Protectorate”, p.30, Hachette UK

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• If any be unhappy, let him remember that he is unhappy by reason of himself alone. For God hath made all men to enjoy felicity and constancy of good.

  Epictetus

  Men, Unhappy, Remember

  Epictetus (2013). “The Golden Sayings of Epictetus In Plain and Simple English (Translated)”, p.122, BookCaps Study Guides

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• Vain are the beliefs and teachings that make man miserable, and false is the goodness that leads him into sorrow and despair, for it is man's purpose to be happy on this earth and lead the way to felicity and preach its gospel wherever he goes.

  Khalil

  Teaching, Men, Sorrow

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• If you yearn for holy felicity,
  shed your arrogance and Become A Seeker Of Hearts.

  Rumi

  Heart, Arrogance, Holy

  Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi (2008). “Love's Ripening: Rumi on the Heart's Journey”, p.10, Shambhala Publications

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• In his address of 19 September 1796, given as he prepared to leave office, President George Washington spoke about the importance of morality to the country's well-being: Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. . . . And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. . . . Can it be that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a Nation with its virtue?

  George Washington

  Country, Office, Support

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• Devotees of grammatical studies have not been distinguished for any very remarkable felicities of expression

  Amos Bronson Alcott

  Expression, Study, Grammar

  Amos Bronson Alcott (1868). “Tablets”, p.122

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• To live without feeling or exciting sympathy, to be fortunate without adding to the felicity of others, or afflicted without tasting the balm of pity, is a state more gloomy than solitude; it is not retreat, but exclusion from mankind. Marriage has many pains, but celibacy has no pleasures.

  Samuel Johnson

  Pain, Solitude, Feelings

  Rasselas ch. 26 (1759)

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• I have now reigned above fifty years in victory and peace, beloved by my subjects, dreaded by my enemies, and respected by my allies. Riches and honors, power and pleasure, have waited on my call, nor does any earthly blessing appear to be wanting for my felicity. In this situation, I have diligently numbered the days of pure and genuine happiness which have fallen to my lot: they amount to fourteen. O man, place not thy confidence in this present world!

  Abd-ar-Rahman III

  Happiness, Peace, Men

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• In a drear-nighted December, Too happy, happy tree, Thy branches ne'er remember Their green felicity.

  John Keats

  Happiness, Tree, Branches

  'In drear nighted December' (written 1817)

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• Were the happiness of the next world is as closely apprehended as the felicities of this, it were a martyrdom to live.

  Thomas Browne

  Happiness, World, Next

  'Hydriotaphia' (Urn Burial, 1658) ch. 4

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