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
thinking order way
To get others to come into our ways of thinking, we must go over to theirs; and it is necessary to follow, in order to lead.
men vices virtue
Vice is man's nature: virtue is a habit--or a mask.
character natural profound result simplicity
Simplicity of character is the natural result of profound thought.
men names common
We imagine that the admiration of the works of celebrated men has become common, because the admiration of their names has become so.
men vanity wish
Vanity does not refer to the opinion a man entertains of himself, but to that which he wishes others to entertain of him.
thinking vanity differences
The difference between the vanity of a Frenchman and an Englishman seems to be this: the one thinks everything right that is French, the other thinks everything wrong that is not English.
men vanity merit
The vain man makes a merit of misfortune, and triumphs in his disgrace.
book reading years
If I have not read a book before, it is, for all intents and purposes, new to me whether it was printed yesterday or three hundred years ago.
hurt reading flames
By conversing with the mighty dead, we imbibe sentiment with knowledge. We become strongly attached to those who can no longer either hurt or serve us, except through the influence which they exert over the mind. We feel the presence of that power which gives immortality to human thoughts and actions, and catch the flame of enthusiasm from all nations and ages.
needs monument deserve
Those only deserve a monument who do not need one.
giving weight affection
The objects that we have known in better days are the main props that sustain the weight of our affections, and give us strength to await our future lot.
regret truth able
One truth discovered, one pang of regret at not being able to express it, is better than all the fluency and flippancy in the world.
best insults submit
The best way to procure insults is to submit to them.
regret ideas lasts
To die is only to be as we were before we were born; yet no one feels any remorse, or regret, or repugnance, in contemplating this last idea.