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James Russell Lowell Quotes - Page 15

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He mastered whatever was not worth the knowing.

He mastered whatever was not worth the knowing.

James Russell Lowell
Education, Work, Knowledge
James Russell Lowell (1871). “The poetical works of James Russell Lowell”, p.132

Large charity doth never soil, but only whitens soft white hands.

James Russell Lowell
Hands, White, Charity
James Russell Lowell (1873). “The Poetical Works of James Russell Lowell”, p.17

All that hath been majestical In life or death, since time began, Is native in the simple heart of all, The angel heat of man.

James Russell Lowell
Heart, Character, Angel

Comparative criticism teaches us that moral and aesthetic defects are more nearly related than is commonly supposed.

James Russell Lowell
Criticism, Moral, Teach
James Russell Lowell (1871). “My Study Windows”, p.97

The realm of death seems an enemy's country to most men, on whose shores they are loathly driven by stress of weather; to the wise man it is the desired port where he moors his bark gladly, as in some quiet haven of the Fortunate Isles; it is the golden west into which his sun sinks, and, sinking, casts back a glory upon the leaden cloud-tack which had darkly besieged his day.

James Russell Lowell
Death, Wise, Country
James Russell Lowell (1845). “Conversations on Some of the Old Poets”, p.111

A wise skepticism is the first attribute of a good critic.

James Russell Lowell
Wise, Wisdom, Criticism
"Literary Essays, vol. III". Book by James Russell Lowell, 1870-1890.

We look at death through the cheap-glazed windows of the flesh, and believe him the monster which the flawed and cracked glass represents him.

James Russell Lowell
Death, Believe, Glasses

God's livery is a very plain one; but its wearers have good reason to be content. If it have not so much gold-lace about it as Satan's, it keeps out foul weather better, and is besides a great deal cheaper.

James Russell Lowell
Weather, Gold, Lace
James Russell Lowell (1844). “Poems”

While tenderness of feeling and susceptibility to generous emotions are accidents of temperament, goodness is an achievement of the will and a quality of the life.

James Russell Lowell
Good Life, Achievement, Feelings
James Russell Lowell (1870). “Among My Books”, p.358

Good heavens, of what un costly material is our earthly happiness composed... if we only knew it. What incomes have we not had from a flower, and how unfailing are the dividends of the seasons.

James Russell Lowell
Nature, Flower, Simplicity
James Russell Lowell (1904). “Letters of James Russell Lowell”

Making one object, in outward or inward nature, more holy to a single heart is reward enough for a life; for the more sympathies we gain or awaken for what is beautiful, by so much deeper will be our sympathy for that which is most beautiful,--the human soul!

James Russell Lowell
Beautiful, Heart, Soul
James Russell Lowell (1844). “Poems”

The story of any one man's real experience finds its startling parallel in that of every one of us.

James Russell Lowell
Real, Men, Experience
James Russell Lowell (1888). “The English Poets: Lessing, Rousseau: Essays”

He who keeps his faith only, cannot be discrowned.

James Russell Lowell
Faith
James Russell Lowell (1871). “The poetical works of James Russell Lowell”, p.403

No man can produce great things who is not thoroughly sincere in dealing with himself, who would not exchange the finest show for the poorest reality, who does not so love his work that he is not only glad to give himself for it, but finds rather a gain than a sacrifice in the surrender.

James Russell Lowell
Sacrifice, Reality, Men
James Russell Lowell (1870). “Among my Books, etc”, p.377

We cannot but think there is something like a fallacy in Mr. Buckle's theory that the advance of mankind is necessarily in the direction of science, and not in that of morals.

James Russell Lowell
Science, Thinking, Moral
James Russell Lowell (1870). “Among My Books: First [-second] series”, p.116

Who gives himself with his alms feeds three, himself, his hungering neighbor and me.

James Russell Lowell
Giving, Three, Charity
James Russell Lowell (2012). “The Vision of Sir Launfal And Other Poems by James Russell Lowell, With a Biographical Sketch and Notes, a Portrait and Other Illustrations”, p.46, tredition

Truly there is a tide in the affairs of men; but there is no gulf-stream setting forever in one direction.

James Russell Lowell
Life, Destiny, Men
James Russell Lowell (1870). “Among My Books”, p.234

Over all life broods Poesy, like the calm blue sky with its motherly, rebuking face. She is the great reformer, and where the love of her is strong and healthy, wickedness and wrong cannot long prevail.

James Russell Lowell
Strong, Blue, Sky
James Russell Lowell (1845). “Conversations on Some of the Old Poets”, p.138

Ef you want peace, the thing you've gut to du Is jes' to show you're up to fightin', tu.

James Russell Lowell
Peace, Want, Shows
James Russell Lowell (1871). “The poetical works of James Russell Lowell”, p.271

What a sense of security in an old book which Time has criticized for us!

James Russell Lowell
Time, Book, Reading
"Literary Essays, vol. I". Book by James Russell Lowell, 1864-1890.

Love lives on, and hath a power to bless when they who loved are hidden in the grave.

James Russell Lowell
Love, Love Life, Bless
James Russell Lowell (1871). “The poetical works of James Russell Lowell”, p.105

That cause is strong which has, not a multitude, but one strong man behind it.

James Russell Lowell
Strength, Strong, Men
James Russell Lowell (1904). “Literary and political addresses”

The very gnarliest and hardest of hearts has some musical strings in it; but they are tuned differently in every one of us.

James Russell Lowell
Heart, Musical, Strings
James Russell Lowell (1845). “Conversations on Some of the Old Poets”, p.48

Many-sidedness of culture makes our vision clearer and keener in particulars.

James Russell Lowell
Vision, Culture
James Russell Lowell (1904). “Literary and political addresses”

Keats longed for fame, but longed above all to deserve it.

James Russell Lowell
Fame, Deserve
JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL (1871). “THE POETICAL WORKS OF JOHN KEATS.”, p.14

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