William Hazlitt Quotes

General principles are not the less true or important because, from their nature they elude immediate observation; they are like the air, which is not the less necessary because we neither see nor feel it, or like that secret influence which binds the world together and holds the planets in their orbits.

The most learned are often the most narrow-minded men.

"the old maxim... "there are three things necessary to success in life — Impudence! Impudence! Impudence!

Those who make their dress a principal part of themselves, will, in general, become of no more value than their dress.

If the world were good for nothing else, it is a fine subject for speculation.

We are the creatures of imagination, passion, and self-will, more than of reason or even of self-interest. Even in the common transactions and daily intercourse of life, we are governed by whim, caprice, prejudice, or accident. The falling of a teacup puts us out of temper for the day; and a quarrel that commenced about the pattern of a gown may end only with our lives.

Though familiarity may not breed contempt, it takes off the edge of admiration.

We are very much what others think of us. The reception our observations meet with gives us courage to proceed, or damps our efforts.

A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles.

Grace has been defined the outward expression of the inward harmony of the soul.

Look up, laugh loud, talk big, keep the colour in your cheek and the fire in your eye, adorn your person, maintain your health, your beauty, and your animal spirits, and you will pass for a fine man.

Unlimited power is helpless, as arbitrary power is capricious. Our energy is in proportion to the resistance it meets. We can attempt nothing great, but from a sense of the difficulties we have to encounter: we can persevere in nothing great, but from a pride in overcoming them.

Happy are they who live in the dream of their own existence, and see all things in the light of their own minds; who walk by faith and hope; to whom the guiding star of their youth still shines from afar, and into whom the spirit of the world has not entered! They have not been "hurt by the archers", nor has the iron entered their souls. The world has no hand on them.

Half the business of modern education is taken up in learning not to be ignorant; a process peculiarly unfavorable both to strength of mind and pregnancy of imagination...

The perfect joys of heaven do not satisfy the cravings of nature.