William Lyon Phelps Quotes & Sayings

“The final test of a gentleman is his respect for those who can be of no possible service to him.”

“If at first you don't succeed, find out if the loser gets anything.”

“God speaks to me not through the thunder and the earthquake, nor through the ocean and the stars, but through the Son of Man, and speaks in a language adapted to my imperfect sight and hearing.”

“A student never forgets an encouraging private word, when it is given with sincere respect and admiration.”

“Those who decide to use leisure as a means of mental development, who love good music, good books, good pictures, good plays, good company, good conversation - what are they? They are the happiest people in the world.”

“A well-ordered life is like climbing a tower; the view halfway up is better than the view from the base, and it steadily becomes finer as the horizon expands.”

“If happiness truly consisted in physical ease and freedom from care, then the happiest individual would not be either a man or a woman; it would be, I think, an American cow.”

“If you develop the absolute sense of certainty that powerful beliefs provide, then you can get yourself to accomplish virtually anything, including those things that other people are certain are impossible.”

“If I were running the world I would have it rain only between 2 and 5 a.m. Anyone who was out then ought to get wet.”

“Nature makes boys and girls lovely to look upon so they can be tolerated until they acquire some sense.”