William R. Alger

After every storm the sun will smile; for every problem there is a solution, and the soul's indefeasible duty is to be of good cheer.

— William R. Alger

Most men give advice by the bucket, but take it by the grain.

— William R. Alger

When man seized the loadstone of science, the loadstar of superstition vanished in the clouds.

— William R. Alger

Men often make up in wrath what they want in reason.

— William R. Alger

The best aphorisms are pointed expressions of the results of observation, experience, and reflection. They are portable wisdom, the quintessential extracts of thought and feeling. They furnish the largest amount of intellectual stimulus and nutriment in the smallest compass. About every weak point in human nature, or vicious spot in human life, there is deposited a crystallization of warning and protective proverbs.

— William R. Alger

To appreciate and use correctly a valuable maxim requires a genius, a vital appropriating exercise of mind, closely allied to that which first created it.

— William R. Alger

In the rest of Nirvana all sorrows surcease:Whose inhabitants have the eternal release.

— William R. Alger

God's mills grind slow,But they grind woe.

— William R. Alger

Fill up the goblet and reach to me some!Drinking makes wise, but dry fasting makes glum.

— William R. Alger

Beware the deadly fumes of that insane elation Which is more sober far than all sobriety.

— William R. Alger

The moon is a silver pin-head vast,That holds the heaven's tent-hangings fast.

— William R. Alger

Ten poor men sleep in peace on one straw heap, as Saadi sings,But the immensest empire is too narrow for two kings.

— William R. Alger

As two floating planks meet and part on the sea,O friend! so I met and then drifted from thee.

— William R. Alger

In the nine heavens are eight Paradises;But blessedness dwells in the human breast.

— William R. Alger

A gray eye is a sly eye, A black eye is the best one.

— William R. Alger

A thousand years a poor man watched It oped and shut. Ah! was he wise?

— William R. Alger

An Arab, by his earnest gaze, And into words his longing gushes.

— William R. Alger

With strength and patience all his grievous loads are borne,And from the world's rose-bed he only asks a thorn.

— William R. Alger