It has been the resolution of mankind in all ages of the world. No people, no age, ever threw away the fruits of past wisdom, or the enjoyment of present blessings, for visionary schemes of ideal perfection. It is the knowledge of the past, the actual infliction of the present, that has produced all changes, all innovations, and all improvements — not (as is pretended) the chimerical anticipation of possible advantages, but the intolerable pressure of long-established, notorious, aggravated, and growing abuses.

William Hazlitt (1778-1830) English writer
Table Talk: Essays on Men And Manners, “On Paradox and Common-Place” (1821-1822)

Full text.


 
Added on 28-Jul-09 | Last updated 28-Jul-09
Link to this post | No comments
More quotes by Hazlitt, William

Thoughts? Comments? Corrections? Feedback?