Augustine Birrell
Augustine Birrell
Augustine Birrell KCwas an English Liberal Party politician, who was Chief Secretary for Ireland from 1907 to 1916. In this post, he was praised for enabling tenant farmers to own their property, and for extending university education for Catholics. But he was criticised for failing to take action against the rebels before the Easter Rising, and resigned. A barrister by training, he was also an author, noted for humorous essays...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionAuthor
Date of Birth19 January 1850
book burning
Personally, I am dead against the burning of books.
wise views style
The true historian, therefore, seeking to compose a true picture of the thing acted, must collect facts and combine facts. Methods will differ, styles will differ. Nobody ever does anything like anybody else; but the end in view is generally the same, and the historian's end is truthful narration. Maxims he will have, if he is wise, never a one; and as for a moral, if he tell his story well, it will need none; if he tell it ill, it will deserve none.
blood perfection poetry
Poetry should be vital--either stirring our blood by its divine movements or snatching our breath by its divine perfection. To do both is supreme glory, to do either is enduring fame.
wise perfect soul
A poet's soul must contain the perfect shape of all things good, wise and just. His body must be spotless and without blemish, his life pure, his thoughts high, his studies intense.
book charm
Great is bookishness and the charm of books.
ideas action birth
It is pleasant to be admitted into the birth-chamber of a great idea destined to be translated into action.
believe men library
The man who has a library of his own collection is able to contemplate himself objectively, and is justified in believing in his own existence.
dust history
That great dust-heap called 'history'.
inspirational clever
Is this true or only clever?
philosophy history pageant
History is a pageant and not a philosophy.
anger men angry
Few men can afford to be angry.
education mother steps
Milton calls the university A stony-hearted step-mother.
library may affection
A great library easily begets affection, which may deepen into love.
matter worship mass
It is the Mass the matters.