Edward Bulwer-Lytton Quotes

Man is arrogant in proportion to his ignorance.

Books are waste paper unless we spend in action the wisdom we get from thought.

Why should the soul ever repose? God, its Principle, reposes never. While we speak, new worlds are sparkling forth—suns are throwing off their nebulae—nebulae are hardening into worlds. The Almighty proves His existence by creating.

The man who succeeds above his fellows is the one who, early in life, clearly discerns his object, and towards that object habitually directs his powers. Even genius itself is but fine observation strengthened by fixity of purpose. Every man who observes vigilantly and resolves steadfastly grows unconsciously into genius.

Alone!—that worn-out word,
So idly spoken, and so coldly heard;
Yet all that poets sing, and grief hath known,
Of hope laid waste, knells in that word ALONE!

When stars are in the quiet skies, Then most I pine for thee;
Bend on me, then, thy tender eyes, As stars look on the sea!

Earnest men never think in vain, though their thoughts may be errors.

He who has loved often has loved never.

Real philosophy seeks rather to solve than to deny.

The man who smokes, thinks like a sage and acts like a Samaritan.

When a person's down in the world, I think an ounce of help is better than a pound of preaching.

There is an old age which has more youth of heart than youth itself!

It is not study alone that produces a writer; it is Intensity.

Two lives that once part, are as ships that divide
When, moment on moment there rushes between The one and the other, a sea,—
Ah, never can fall from the days that have been A gleam on the years that shall be.

Love hath no need of words.