Quotes on Literature

Liberty, as it is conceived by current opinion, has nothing inherent about it; it is a sort of gift or trust bestowed on the individual by the state pending good behavior.

Talking and eloquence are not the same: to speak and to speak well are two things. A fool may talk, but a wise man speaks.

A leader is one who, out of madness or goodness, volunteers to take upon himself the woe of the people. There are few men so foolish, hence the erratic quality of leadership in the world.

Human affairs are not serious, but they have to be taken seriously.

If you would have me weep, you must first of all feel grief yourself.

Honesty prospers in every condition of life.

From the very fountain of enchantment there arises a taste of bitterness to spread anguish amongst the flowers.

From the heart of the fountain of delight rises a jet of bitterness that tortures us among the very flowers.

No man can produce great things who is not thoroughly sincere in dealing with himself.

It is the privilege of genius that life never grows common place, as it does for the rest of us.

Where one person shapes their life by precept and example, there are a thousand who have shaped it by impulse and circumstances.

He who is firmly seated in authority soon learns to think security, and not progress, the highest lesson in statecraft.

The mind can weave itself warmly in the cocoon of its own thoughts, and dwell a hermit anywhere.

Sincerity is impossible, unless it pervade the whole being, and the pretence of it saps the very foundation of character.

Freedom is the only law which genius knows.

Children are God's Apostles, sent forth, day by day, to preach of love, and hope, and peace.

Those who are acquainted with the literature of India will remember a beautiful old story about this extreme charity, how a whole family, as related in the Mahâbhârata, starved themselves to death and gave their last meal to a beggar. This is not an exaggeration, for such things still happen.

That's the nature of women, not to love when we love them, and to love when we love them not.

But surely for everything you love you have to pay some price.

It is ridiculous to set a detective story in New York City. New York City is itself a detective story.

One doesn't recognize the really important moments in one's life until it's too late.