William Hazlitt
William Hazlitt
William Hazlittwas an English writer, drama and literary critic, painter, social commentator, and philosopher. He is now considered one of the greatest critics and essayists in the history of the English language, placed in the company of Samuel Johnson and George Orwell. He is also acknowledged as the finest art critic of his age. Despite his high standing among historians of literature and art, his work is currently little read and mostly out of print...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionCritic
Date of Birth10 April 1778
true-friend real mirrors
True friendship is self-love at second hand; where, as in a flattering mirror we may see our virtues magnified and our errors softened, and where we may fancy our opinion of ourselves confirmed by an impartial and faithful witness.
ambition names excellence
The love of fame is almost another name for the love of excellence; or it is the ambition to attain the highest excellence, sanctioned by the highest authority, that of time.
spiritual expression soul
Grace has been defined as the outward expression of the inward harmony of the soul.
death giving trouble
Perhaps the best cure for the fear of death is to reflect that life has a beginning as well as an end. There was a time when we were not: this gives us no concern. Why, then, should it trouble us that a time will come when we shall cease to be?
love gay thinking
I do not think that what is called Love at first sight is so great an absurdity as it is sometimes imagined to be. We generally make up our minds beforehand to the sort of person we should like, grave or gay, black, brown, or fair; with golden tresses or raven locks; - and when we meet with a complete example of the qualities we admire, the bargain is soon struck.
food talking salt
Wit is the salt of conversation, not the food.
political internet free-speech
When a thing ceases to be a subject of controversy, it ceases to be a subject of interest.
modesty great-person persons
No truly great person ever thought themselves so.
common-sense prejudice common
The rule for traveling abroad is to take our common sense with us, and leave our prejudices behind.
life greatness men
No man is truly great who is great only in his lifetime. The test of greatness is the page of history.
life travel home
I would like to spend the whole of my life traveling, if I could anywhere borrow another life to spend at home.
love force left
There are no rules for friendship. It must be left to itself. We cannot force it any more than love.
happiness teacher attitude
Books let us into their souls and lay open to us the secrets of our own.
doors rooms environment
I can enjoy society in a room; but out of doors, nature is company enough for me