Top 15 Henry James Quotes

American and British writer (1843–1916)

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Henry James, OM (15 April 1843 – 28 February 1916) was an American author. He is regarded as a key transitional figure between literary realism and literary modernism, and is considered by many to be among the greatest novelists in the English language. He was the son of Henry James Sr. and the brother of renowned philosopher and psychologist William James and diarist Alice James.

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Alternative Names: Henricus James

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Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.

She feels in italics and thinks in CAPITALS.

Summer afternoon — summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.

I'm glad you like adverbs — I adore them; they are the only qualifications I really much respect.

It's time to start living the life you've imagined.

I don't want everyone to like me; I should think less of myself if some people did.

It has made me better loving you... it has made me wiser, and easier, and brighter. I used to want a great many things before, and to be angry that I did not have them. Theoretically, I was satisfied. I flattered myself that I had limited my wants. But I was subject to irritation; I used to have morbid sterile hateful fits of hunger, of desire. Now I really am satisfied, because I can’t think of anything better. It’s just as when one has been trying to spell out a book in the twilight, and suddenly the lamp comes in. I had been putting out my eyes over the book of life, and finding nothing to reward me for my pains; but now that I can read it properly I see that it’s a delightful story.

We work in the dark - we do what we can - we give what we have. Our doubt is our passion, and our passion is our task. The rest is the madness of art.

There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.

Sorrow comes in great waves...but rolls over us, and though it may almost smother us, it leaves us. And we know that if it is strong, we are stronger, inasmuch as it passes and we remain.

Her reputation for reading a great deal hung about her like the cloudy envelope of a goddess in an epic.

I'm yours for ever — for ever and ever. Here I stand; I'm as firm as a rock. If you'll only trust me, how little you'll be disappointed. Be mine as I am yours.

She had an immense curiosity about life, and was constantly staring and wondering.

"I always want to know the things one shouldn't do."
"So as to do them?" asked her aunt.
"So as to choose," said Isabel

I call people rich when they're able to meet the requirements of their imagination.