Walter Savage Landor
Walter Savage Landor
Walter Savage Landorwas an English writer and poet. His best known works were the prose Imaginary Conversations, and the poem Rose Aylmer, but the critical acclaim he received from contemporary poets and reviewers was not matched by public popularity. As remarkable as his work was, it was equalled by his rumbustious character and lively temperament...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionPoet
Date of Birth30 January 1775
stupid practice religion
The most pernicious of absurdities is that weak, blind, stupid faith is better than the constant practice of every human virtue.
kings greatness pedestal
The tomb is the pedestal of greatness. I make a distinction between God's great and the king's great.
learning grease delight
I delight in the diffusion of learning; yet, I must confess it, I am most gratified and transported at finding a large quantity of it in one place; just as I would rather have a solid pat of butter at breakfast, than a splash of grease upon the table-cloth that covers half of it.
time dust sublime
The sublime is contained in a grain of dust.
pace may steps
Friendship may sometimes step a few paces in advance of truth.
faults genius levels
A critic is never too severe when he only detects the faults of an author. But he is worse than too severe when, in consequence of this detection, be presumes to place himself on a level with genius.
errors understanding mastery
Consciousness of error is, to a certain extent, a consciousness of understanding; and correction of error is the plainest proof of energy and mastery.
farewell said
The happy never say, and never hear said, farewell.
daughter gratitude justice
Justice is often pale and melancholy; but Gratitude, her daughter, is constantly in the flow of spirits and the bloom of loveliness.
politics argument truth-prevails
In argument, truth always prevails finally; in politics, falsehood always.
incense ashes burn-out
No ashes are lighter than those of incense, and few things burn out sooner.
money pay wealth
The highest price we can pay for anything; is to ask it.
offending language flattery
The habit of pleasing by flattery makes a language soft; the fear of offending by truth makes it circuitous and conventional.
principles morality ethics
Principles do not mainly influence even the principled; we talk on principle, but we act on interest.