Men never forgive those in whom there is nothing to pardon.
Edward George Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873) English novelist and politician
“Thoughts” (30), Weeds and Wildflowers (1826)
Quotations by:
Bulwer-Lytton, Edward George
I do not necessarily conquer my anger because I do not show that I am angry. Anger ventilated often hurries towards forgiveness; anger concealed often hardens into revenge.
Edward George Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873) English novelist and politician
Caxtoniana, ch. 20 “On Self-Control” (1862-1863)
(Source)
Emotion, whether of ridicule, anger, or sorrow, — whether raised at a puppet show, a funeral, or a battle, — is your grandest of levelers. The man who would be always superior should be always apathetic.
Edward George Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873) English novelist and politician
Devereux, Book 2, ch. 1 (1829)
Fate laughs at probabilities.
Edward George Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873) English novelist and politician
Eugene Aram, Book I, ch. 10 (1832)
Fine natures are like fine poems; a glance at the first two lines suffices for a guess into the beauty that waits you, if you read on.
Edward George Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873) English novelist and politician
My Novel, or Varieties in English Life (1853)
Beneath the rule of men entirely great
The pen is mightier than the sword. Behold
The arch-enchanter’s wand! — itself a nothing! —
But taking sorcery from the master-hand
To paralyze the Caesars — and to strike
The loud earth breathless! — Take away the sword —
States can be saved without it!Edward George Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873) English novelist and politician
Richelieu, Act 2, sc. 2 [Richelieu] (1839)
(Source)
See Shakespeare.
I have wrought great use out of evil tools.
Edward George Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873) English novelist and politician
Richelieu, Act 3, sc. 1, ll. 49-50 [Richelieu] (1839)
(Source)
Never get a reputation for a small perfection, if you are trying for fame in a loftier area; the world can only judge by generals, and it sees that those who pay considerable attention to minutiæ, seldom have their minds occupied with great things. There are, it is true, exceptions; but to exceptions the world does not attend.
Edward George Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873) English novelist and politician
The Disowned, ch. 2 [Talbot] (1828)
(Source)
See La Rochefoucauld.
The easiest person to deceive is one’s own self.
Edward George Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873) English novelist and politician
The Disowned, ch. 42 (1828)
“It is destiny” — phrase of the weak human heart; dark apology for every error. The strong and the virtuous admit no destiny.
Edward George Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873) English novelist and politician
The Last of the Barons, 8.6 (1843)
The true spirit of conversation consists in building on another man’s observation, not overturning it.
Edward George Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873) English novelist and politician
The Student, Vol. 2, “The New Phaedo,” Conversation 1 (1835)
(Source)
See La Bruyere.
For I know not why we should delay our tokens of respect to those who deserve them, until the heart that our sympathy could have gladdened has ceased to beat. As men cannot read the epitaphs inscribed upon the marble that covers them, so the tombs that we erect to virtue often only prove our repentance that we neglected it when with us.
Edward George Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873) English novelist and politician
Letter to F. T. Mappin (25 Sep 1855)
(Source)
Quoted in The Illustrated London News, Vol. 27 (6 Oct 1855)
A reform is a correction of abuses; a revolution is a transfer of power.
Edward George Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873) English novelist and politician
Speech, House of Commons (1866)