809 Quotes by William Hazlitt

Those only deserve a monument who do not need one.

The love of fame is almost another name for the love of excellence; or it is the ambition to attain the highest excellence, sanctioned by the highest authority, that of time.

The ballot is only useful as a screen from arbitrary power.

He who would see old Hoghton right Must view it by the pale moonlight.

We are not satisfied to be right, unless we can prove others to be quite wrong.

The world judge of men by their ability in their professions, and we judge of ourselves by the same test; for it is on that on which our success in life depends

Whatever excites the spirit of contradiction is capable of producing the last effects of heroism; which is only the highest pitch of obstinacy, in a good or bad cause, in wisdom or folly.

Society is a more level surface than we imagine. Wise men or absolute fools are hard to be met with, as there are few giants or dwarfs.

Violence ever defeats its own ends. Where you cannot drive you can always persuade. A gentle word, a kind look, a god-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles. There is a secret pride in every human heart than revolts at tyranny. You may order and drive an individual, but you cannot make him respect you.