William Hazlitt Quotes

There is not a more mean, stupid, dastardly, pitiful, selfish, spiteful, envious, ungrateful animal than the Public. It is the greatest of cowards, for it is afraid of itself.

There is nothing good to be had in the country, or, if there be, they will not let you have it.

There is nothing more to be esteemed than a manly firmness and decision of character. - I like a person who knows his own mind and sticks to it; who sees at once what, in given circumstances, is to be done, and does it.

There is room enough in human life to crowd almost every art and science in it. If we pass "no day without a line" - visit no place without the company of a book - we may with ease fill libraries, or empty them of their contents. The more we do, the more busy we are, the more leisure we have. [Leisure]

There is some virtue in almost every vice except hypocrisy; and even that, while it is a mockery of virtue, is, at the same time, a compliment to it. [Hypocrisy]

They only deserve a monument who do not need one; that is, who have raised themselves a monument in the minds and memories of men. [Monuments]

Those people who are uncomfortable in themselves are disagreeable to others. [Self Acceptance]

Those who are at war with others are not at peace with themselves. [Peace]

Those who are fond of setting things to rights have no great objection to setting them wrong.

Those who can command themselves, command others.

Those who make their dress a principal part of themselves, will, in general, become of no more value than their dress.

Those who speak ill of the spiritual life, although they come and go by day, are like the smith's bellows: they take breath but are not alive.

Though familiarity may not breed contempt, it takes off the edge of admiration. [Familiarity]

Thought depends on the habitual exercise of the speculative faculties; action, on the determination of the will. The one assigns reasons for things, the other puts causes into act. ... Such is the effeminacy of the speculative and philosophical temperament, compared with the promptness and vigour of the practical! ... Reasoners in general are undecided, wavering, and sceptical, or yield at last to the weakest motive as most congenial to their feeble habit of soul.

To a superior race of beings the pretensions of mankind to extraordinary sanctity and virtue must seem equally ridiculous.

To be capable of steady friendship or lasting love are the two greatest proofs, not only of goodness of heart, but of strength of mind. [Friendship]

To be happy, we must be true to nature and carry our age along with us. [Age]

To be remembered after we are dead, is but a poor recompense for being treated with contempt while we are living.

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.

To give a reason for anything is to breed a doubt of it.