Don Colacho’s Aphorisms

Baroque, preciosity, modernism, are noble failings, but failings in the end. Escolios a un Texto Implícito: Selección , p. 469

There are moments when the worst failing, the worst offense, the worst sin, seems to be bad manners. Escolios a un Texto Implícito: Selecció...

The industrialization of agriculture is stopping up the source of decency in the world. Escolios a un Texto Implícito: Selección , p. 465

Evening dress is the first step toward civilization. Escolios a un Texto Implícito: Selección , p. 464

Only the years teach us to deal with our ignorance tactfully. Escolios a un Texto Implícito: Selección , p. 464

The majority of new customs are old behaviors that western civilization had shamefacedly confined to its lower-class neighborhoods. Escolios...

God does not die, but unfortunately for man the subordinate gods like modesty, honor, dignity, decency, have perished. Escolios a un Texto I...

The ignoramus believes that the expression “aristocratic manners” signified insolent behavior; whoever investigates discovers that the expre...

Intellectual boorishness is the defect that we least know how to avoid in this century. Escolios a un Texto Implícito: Selección , p. 444

Humanity is what is elaborated in man’s animality by reserve and modesty. Escolios a un Texto Implícito: Selección , p. 439

The only indices of civilization are the clarity, lucidity, order, good manners of everyday prose. Escolios a un Texto Implícito: Selección ...

Let us not give stupid opinions the pleasure of scandalizing us. Escolios a un Texto Implícito: Selección , p. 420

Where there are no vestiges of old Christian charity, even the purest courtesy is somewhat cold, hypocritical, hard. Escolios a un Texto Imp...

Solitude teaches us to be more intellectually honest, but it induces us to be less intellectually courteous. Escolios a un Texto Implícito: ...

Only churchmen’s hands knew, for a period of a few centuries, how to beautify conduct and the soul. Escolios a un Texto Implícito: Selección...

Not the man who has disciplined only his intelligence is cultivated, but rather the man who also disciplines the movements of his soul and e...

Civilizations enter into agony when they forget that there exists not merely an aesthetic activity, but also an aesthetic of activity. Escol...

The frightened progressive has neither compassion nor dignity. Escolios a un Texto Implícito: Selección , p. 390

Ethical conduct is the aesthetically satisfactory conduct. Escolios a un Texto Implícito: Selección , p. 388

Very few carry themselves with the discretion befitting their insignificance. Escolios a un Texto Implícito: Selección , p. 381