The busiest of living agents are certain dead men's thoughts.

The busiest of living agents are certain dead men's thoughts.

Men's first thoughts in this matter are generally better than
their second; their natural notions better than those refin'd read more

Men's first thoughts in this matter are generally better than
their second; their natural notions better than those refin'd by
study, or consultation with casuists.
- Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury,

Any man may make a mistake; none but a fool will stick to it.
Second thoughts are best as read more

Any man may make a mistake; none but a fool will stick to it.
Second thoughts are best as the proverb says.
[Lat., Cujusvis hominis est errare; nullius, nisi insipientis, in
errore perseverae. Posteriores enim cogitationes (ut aiunt)
sapientiores solent esse.]

Whatsoe'er thy birth,
Thou wert a beautiful thought and softly bodied forth.

Whatsoe'er thy birth,
Thou wert a beautiful thought and softly bodied forth.

Thought is borne of failure.

Thought is borne of failure.

In indolent vacuity of thought.

In indolent vacuity of thought.

I stood
Among them, but not of them: in a shroud
Of thoughts which were not their read more

I stood
Among them, but not of them: in a shroud
Of thoughts which were not their thoughts.

What exile from himself can flee?
To zones, though more and more remote,
Still, still pursues, where'er read more

What exile from himself can flee?
To zones, though more and more remote,
Still, still pursues, where'er I be,
The blight of life--the demon Thought.

The first thought is often the best.
- Bishop Joseph Butler,

The first thought is often the best.
- Bishop Joseph Butler,