The author of Biographia Literaria was already a ruined man. Sometimes, however, to be a “ruined man” is itself a vocation.
For more than a thousand years the Bible, collectively taken, has gone hand in hand with civilization science, law; in short, with the moral and intellectual cultivation of the species, always supporting and often leading he way.
The paternal and filial duties discipline the heart, and prepare it for the love of all mankind. The intensity of private attachment encourages, not prevents, universal benevolence.
Carved with figures strange and sweet, All made out of the carver’s brain.
Milton had a highly imaginative, Cowley a very fanciful mind.
Experience informs us that the first defence of weak minds is to recriminate.
The Reformation in the sixteenth century narrowed Reform. As soon as men began to call themselves names, all hope of further amendment was lost.
Dryden ’s genius was of that sort which catches fire by its own motion; his chariot wheels get hot by driving fast.
Moral obligation is to me so very strong a Stimulant, that in 9 cases out of ten it acts as a Narcotic. The Blow that should rouse, stuns me.
Religion is the most gentlemanly thing in the world. It alone will gentilize, if unmixed with cant.
Men of humor are always in some degree men of genius; wits are rarely so, although a man of genius may, amongst other gifts, possess wit, as Shakespeare.
Men of genius are rarely much annoyed by the company of vulgar people, because they have a power of looking at such persons as objects of amusement of another race altogether.
Genius of the highest kind implies an unusual intensity of the modifying power.
A woman’s friendship borders more closely on love than man’s. Men affect each other in the reflection of noble or friendly acts; whilst women ask fewer proofs and more signs and expressions of attachment.
As a man without forethought scarcely deserves the name of a man, so forethought without reflection is but a metaphorical phrase for the instinct of a beast.
Bells, the poor man’s only music.
Novels are to love as fairy tales to dreams.
The first great requisite is absolute sincerity. Falsehood and disguise are miseries and misery-makers.
Trochee trips from long to short; From long to long in solemn sort Slow Spondee stalks.
Indignation at literary wrongs I leave to men born under happier stars. I cannot afford it.