The definitions of humanism are many, but let us here take it to be the attitude of those men who think it an advantage to live in society, and, at that, in a complex and highly developed society, and who believe that man fulfills his nature and reaches his proper stature in this circumstance. The personal virtues which humanism cherishes are intelligence, amenity, and tolerance; the particular courage it asks for is that which is exercised in the support of these virtues. The qualities of intelligence which it chiefly prizes are modulation and flexibility.
At the bottom of at least popular Marxism there has always been a kind of disgust with humanity as it is and a perfect faith in humanity as it is to … - Lionel Trilling
At the bottom of at least popular Marxism there has always been a kind of disgust with humanity as it is and a perfect faith in humanity as it is to …
- Lionel Trilling
It is now life and not art that requires the willing suspension of disbelief. - Lionel Trilling
It is now life and not art that requires the willing suspension of disbelief.
We who are liberal and progressive know that the poor are our equals in every sense except that of being equal to us. - Lionel Trilling
We who are liberal and progressive know that the poor are our equals in every sense except that of being equal to us.
The poet is in command of his fantasy, while it is exactly the mark of the neurotic that he is possessed by his fantasy. - Lionel Trilling
The poet is in command of his fantasy, while it is exactly the mark of the neurotic that he is possessed by his fantasy.
Some paradox of our natures leads us, when once we have made our fellow men the objects of our enlightened interest, to go on to make them the object… - Lionel Trilling
Some paradox of our natures leads us, when once we have made our fellow men the objects of our enlightened interest, to go on to make them the object…
What marks the artist is his power to shape the material of pain we all have. - Lionel Trilling
What marks the artist is his power to shape the material of pain we all have.
Being a Jew is like walking in the wind or swimming: you are touched at all points and conscious everywhere. - Lionel Trilling
Being a Jew is like walking in the wind or swimming: you are touched at all points and conscious everywhere.
Immature artists imitate. Mature artists steal. - Lionel Trilling
Immature artists imitate. Mature artists steal.
We live, understandably enough, with the sense of urgency; our clock, like Baudelaire's, has had the hands removed and bears the legend, "It is later… - Lionel Trilling
We live, understandably enough, with the sense of urgency; our clock, like Baudelaire's, has had the hands removed and bears the legend, "It is later…
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