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James Russell Lowell Quotes - Page 6

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A man is old when he can pass an apple orchard and not remember the stomachache.

A man is old when he can pass an apple orchard and not remember the stomachache.

James Russell Lowell
Birthday, Men, Apples

No man is born into the world whose work Is not born with him. There is always work, And tools to work withal, for those who will; And blessed are the horny hands of toil.

James Russell Lowell
Work, Blessed, Men
'A Glance Behind the Curtain' (1844)

Incredulity robs us of many pleasures, and gives us nothing in return.

James Russell Lowell
Giving, Literature, Return
James Russell Lowell (1845). “Conversations on Some of the Old Poets”, p.63

In the gain or loss of one race all the rest have equal claim.

James Russell Lowell
Loss, Race, Gains
James Russell Lowell (1871). “The poetical works of James Russell Lowell”, p.66

Pride and weakness are Siamese twins.

James Russell Lowell
Pride, Weakness, Twins
James Russell Lowell (1845). “Conversations on Some of the Old Poets”, p.201

Democracy is that form of society, no matter what its political classification, in which every man has a chance and knows that he has it.

James Russell Lowell
Men, Political, Democracy

What means this glory round our feet, The Magi mused, "more bright than morn!" And voices chanted clear and sweet, "To-day the Prince of Peace is born.

James Russell Lowell
Christmas, Sweet, Mean
James Russell Lowell (2016). “Delphi Complete Poetical Works of James Russell Lowell (Illustrated)”, p.895, Delphi Classics

And what is so rare as a day in June? Then, if ever, come perfect days.

James Russell Lowell
June, Perfect Days, Literature
"The Vision of Sir Launfal" prelude to pt. 1, st. 5 (1848)

And blessed are the horny hands of toil.

James Russell Lowell
Blessed, Hands, Horny
"A Glance Behind the Curtain" l. 205 (1843)

The eye is the notebook of the poet.

James Russell Lowell
Notebook, Eye, Literature

If we see light at the end of the tunnel, it's the light of the oncoming train.

James Russell Lowell
Funny, Humor, Tunnels

Ah, in this world, where every guiding thread Ends suddenly in the one sure centre, death, The visionary hand of Might-have-been Alone can fill Desire's cup to the brim!

James Russell Lowell
Regret, Hands, Desire
James Russell Lowell (1871). “The poetical works of James Russell Lowell”, p.88

Not failure, but low aim, is crime.

James Russell Lowell
Inspirational, Fear, Educational
James Russell Lowell (1871). “The poetical works of James Russell Lowell”, p.382

Solitude is as needful to the imagination as society is wholesome for the character.

James Russell Lowell
Inspirational, Loneliness, Character
James Russell Lowell (1870). “Among my Books, etc”, p.32

O chime of sweet Saint Charity, Peal soon that Easter morn When Christ for all shall risen be, And in all hearts new-born! That Pentecost when utterance clear To all men shall be given, When all shall say My Brother here, And hear My Son in heaven!

James Russell Lowell
Sweet, Brother, Easter
James Russell Lowell (1871). “The poetical works of James Russell Lowell”, p.385

Greatly begin. Though thou have time, but for a line, be that sublime. Not failure, but low aim is crime.

James Russell Lowell
Ambition, Sublime, Lines
James Russell Lowell (1871). “The poetical works of James Russell Lowell”, p.382

Christ was the first true democrat that ever breathed, as the old dramatist Dekkar said he was the first true gentleman.

James Russell Lowell
Gentleman, Democracy, Firsts
James Russell Lowell (1900). “The Writings of James Russell Lowell in Prose and Poetry ...”

Winds wanders, and dews drip earthward; Rains fall, suns rise and set; Earth whirls, and all but to prosper A poor little violet.

James Russell Lowell
Rain, Fall, Wind
James Russell Lowell (1871). “The poetical works of James Russell Lowell”, p.90

What visionary tints the year puts on, When falling leaves falter through motionless air Or numbly cling and shiver to be gone! How shimmer the low flats and pastures bare, As with her nectar Hebe Autumn fills The bowl between me and those distant hills, And smiles and shakes abroad her misty, tremulous hair!

James Russell Lowell
Fall, Autumn, Hair
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.67, tredition

The traitor to Humanity is the traitor most accursed; Man is more than Constitutions; better rot beneath the sod, Than be true to Church and State while we are doubly false to God.

James Russell Lowell
Men, Humanity, Church
James Russell Lowell (1871). “The poetical works of James Russell Lowell”, p.82

No price is set on the lavish summer; June may be had by the poorest comer.

James Russell Lowell
Summer, June, May
James Russell Lowell (1871). “The poetical works of James Russell Lowell”, p.117

It is curious how tyrannical the habit of reading is...

James Russell Lowell
Reason, Habit, Curious
"Literary Essays, vol. I". Book by James Russell Lowell, 1864-1890.

Death is delightful. Death is dawn, The waking from a weary night Of fevers unto truth and light.

James Russell Lowell
Life, Death, Night

The right of individual property is no doubt the very corner-stone of civilization, as hitherto understood; but I am a little impatient of being told that property is entitled to exceptional consideration because it bears all the burdens of the state. It bears those, indeed, which can be most easily borne, but poverty pays with its person the chief expenses of war, pestilence, and famine.

James Russell Lowell
War, Civilization, Doubt
James Russell Lowell (1910). “Essays, English and American”

Fashion being the art of those who must purchase notice at some cheaper rate than that of being beautiful, loves to do rash and extravagant things. She must be forever new, or she becomes insipid.

James Russell Lowell
Beautiful, Fashion, Art
James Russell Lowell (1845). “Conversations on Some of the Old Poets”, p.178

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