Our passions are like convulsion fits, which, though they make us stronger for the time, leave us the weaker ever read more

Our passions are like convulsion fits, which, though they make us stronger for the time, leave us the weaker ever after.

Difference of object does not alter singleness of passion. It
merely intensifies it. We can have but one great read more

Difference of object does not alter singleness of passion. It
merely intensifies it. We can have but one great experience at
best, and the secret of life is to reproduce that experience as
often as possible.

All the passions are nothing else than different degrees of heat
and cold of the blood.
[Fr., Toutes read more

All the passions are nothing else than different degrees of heat
and cold of the blood.
[Fr., Toutes les passions ne sout autre chose que les divers
degres de la chaleur et de la froideur du sang.]

The ruling passion, be it what it will,
The ruling passion conquers reason still.

The ruling passion, be it what it will,
The ruling passion conquers reason still.

And beauty, for confiding youth,
Those shocks of passion can prepare
That kill the bloom before its read more

And beauty, for confiding youth,
Those shocks of passion can prepare
That kill the bloom before its time,
And blanch, without the owner's crime,
The most resplendent hair.

May I govern my passions with absolute sway,
And grow wiser and better as my strength wears away.

May I govern my passions with absolute sway,
And grow wiser and better as my strength wears away.

From their experience or from the recorded experience of others (history), men learn only what their passions and their metaphysical read more

From their experience or from the recorded experience of others (history), men learn only what their passions and their metaphysical prejudices allow them to learn.

Passion, though a bad regulator, is a powerful spring.

Passion, though a bad regulator, is a powerful spring.

In men, we various ruling passions find;
In women two almost divide the kind;
Those only fix'd, read more

In men, we various ruling passions find;
In women two almost divide the kind;
Those only fix'd, they first or last obey.
The love of pleasure, and the love of sway.