By the study of their ...

By the study of their biographies, we receive each man as a guest into our minds, and we seem to understand their character as the result of a personal acquaintance, because we have obtained from their acts the best and most important means of forming an opinion about them. \

By the study of their biographies, we receive each man as a guest into our minds, and we seem to understand their character as the result of a personal acquaintance, because we have obtained from their acts the best and most important means of forming an opinion about them. "What greater pleasure could'st thou gain than this?" What more valuable for the elevation of our own character?

Quotes from the same author

Silence at the proper season is wisdom, and better than any speech.

Know how to listen, and you will profit even from those who talk badly.

To make no mistakes is not in the power of man; but from their errors and mistakes the wise and good learn wisdom for the future.

I don't need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better.

What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.