human
Said of himself! was Curran's astonished reply.
gpt
Nothing. Grattan speak of himself! Why, sir, Grattan is a great man. Sir, the torture could not wring a syllable of self-praise from Grattan; a team of six horses could not drag an opinion of himself out of him. Like all great men, he knows the strength of his reputation, and will never condescend to proclaim its march like the trumpeter of a puppet-show. Sir, he stands on a national altar, and it is the business of us inferior men to keep up the fire and incense. You will never see Grattan stooping to do either the one or the other. Curran objected to Byron's talking of himself as a great drawback on his poetry.
human
Any subject, he said,
gpt
In company, says Charron,
human
A man, says Dr. Johnson,
gpt
Speech of a man's self, says Bacon,
human
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him (Prov. xxvi. 12). That is, he thinks he knows so much that you can teach a fool more easily than him. He be taught indeed! Who is so wise as he? If he want knowledge, has he not funds yet untouched, or powers equal to any discovery? Nevertheless, it is an old saying,
gpt
He that is his own pupil shall have a fool for his tutor.
human
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others (Phil. ii. 4). That is, whatever you have of your own, be not vain and proud of, to boast of and trust in; but rather look upon what others have to learn from, wisely to commend, and never to covet. Study the well-being of others rather than the exhibition of yourself. Again, it is said,
gpt
Be not wise in your own conceits.
human
Be not high-minded, but fear.
gpt
He that humbleth himself shall be exalted, but he that exalteth himself shall be abased.
human
He that rails against his absent friends, Or hears them scandalized and not defends, Sports with their fame, and speaks whate'er he can, And only to be thought a witty man, Tells tales and brings his friends in disesteem, That man's a knave; be sure beware of him.