546 Quotes by James Russell Lowell

Who’s not sat tense before his own heart’s curtain.

Faith in God, faith in man, faith in work: this is the short formula in which we may sum up the teachings of the founders of New England, – a creed ample enough for this life and the next.

It is only the intellect that can be thoroughly and hideously wicked. It can forget everything in the attainment of its ends. The heart recoils; in its retired some drops of childhood’s dew still linger, defying manhood’s fiery noon.

A poet must need be before his own age, to be even with posterity.

Then to side with Truth is noble when we share her wretched crust, Ere her cause bring fame and profit, and ’t is prosperous to be just; Then it is the brave man chooses, while the coward stands aside, Doubting in his abject spirit, till his Lord is crucified.

There is no self-delusion more fatal than that which makes the conscience dreamy with the anodyne of lofty sentiments, while the life is groveling and sensual.

Earth’s noblest thing,-a woman perfected.

Did man e’er live Saw priest or woman yet forgive?

You’ve gut to git up airly Ef you want to take in God.