WIST

The foolish and the dead alone never change their opinions.

James Russell Lowell (1819-1891) American diplomat, essayist, poet
“Abraham Lincoln” (1864), My Study Windows (1871)

All the beautiful sentiments in the world weigh less than a single thought.

James Russell Lowell (1819-1891) American diplomat, essayist, poet
“Rousseau and the Sentimentalists” (1867)

Talent is that which is in a man’s power; genius is that in whose power a man is.

James Russell Lowell (1819-1891) American diplomat, essayist, poet
“Rousseau and the Sentimentalists” (1867)

Be noble! And the nobleness that lies
In other men, sleeping, but never dead,
Will rise in majesty to meet thine own.

James Russell Lowell (1819-1891) American diplomat, essayist, poet
“Sonnet 4″ (1840)

Whatever you may be sure of, be sure of this, that you are dreadfully like other people.

James Russell Lowell (1819-1891) American diplomat, essayist, poet
(Attributed)

In creating, the only hard thing’s to begin; a grass-blade’s no easier to make than an oak.

James Russell Lowell (1819-1891) American diplomat, essayist, poet
A Fable for Critics (1848)

Solitude is as needful to the imagination as society is wholesome for the character.

James Russell Lowell (1819-1891) American diplomat, essayist, poet
Among My Books, “Dryden” (1870)

This imputation of inconsistency is one to which every sound politician and every honest thinker must sooner or later subject himself. The foolish and the dead alone never change their opinion.

James Russell Lowell (1819-1891) American diplomat, essayist, poet
My Study Windows, (1899)
Chapter on Abraham Lincoln.

Be noble! and the nobleness that lies
In other men, sleeping but never dead,
Will rise in majesty to meet thine own.

James Russell Lowell (1819-1891) American diplomat, essayist, poet
Sonnet IV

Not failure, but low aim, is crime.

James Russell Lowell (1819-1891) American diplomat, essayist, poet
“For an Autograph,” st. 5 (1868)