Over 40,000 Famous Quotes Sorted By Topic and Author

Woe to the man whose heart has not learned while young to hope, to love - and to put its trust in life.

A noble man compares and estimates himself by an idea which is higher than himself, and a mean man, by one lower than himself. The one produces aspiration, the other ambition, which is the way in which a vulgar man aspires.

As to honor -- you know -- it's a very fine mediaeval inheritance which women never got hold of. It wasn't theirs.

The real significance of crime is in its being a breach of faith with the community of mankind.

I have wrestled with death. It is the most unexciting contest you can imagine. It takes place in an impalpable grayness, with nothing underfoot, with nothing around, without spectators, without clamor, without glory, without the great desire of victory, without the great fear of defeat.

Only in men's imagination does every truth find an effective and undeniable existence. Imagination, not invention, is the supreme master of art as of life.

Some great men owe most of their greatness to the ability of detecting in those they destine for their tools the exact quality of strength that matters for their work.

The sea--this truth must be confessed-- has no generosity. No display of manly qualities-- courage, hardihood, endurance, faithfulness--has ever been known to touch its irresponsible consciousness of power.

Gossip is what no one claims to like -- but everyone enjoys.

A man is a worker. If he is not that he is nothing.

A noble man compares and estimates himself by an idea which is higher than himself; and a mean man, by one lower than himself. The one produces aspiration; the other ambition, which is the way in which a vulgar man aspires.

Any work that aspires, however humbly, to the condition of art should carry its justification in every line.

To a teacher of languages there comes a time when the world is but a place of many words and man appears a mere talking animal not much more wonderful than a parrot.

I dare say I am compelled, unconsciously compelled, now to write volume after volume, as in past years I was compelled to go to sea, voyage after voyage. Leaves must follow upon each other as leagues used to follow in the days gone by, on and on to the appointed end, which, being truth itself, is one -- one for all men and for all occupations.

Who knows what true loneliness is -- not the conventional word but the naked terror? To the lonely themselves it wears a mask. The most miserable outcast hugs some memory or some illusion.

It is the mark of an inexperienced man not to believe in luck.

Being a woman is a terribly difficult task since it consists principally in dealing with men.

It is to be remarked that a good many people are born curiously unfitted for the fate waiting them on this earth. - Chance.

An artist is a man of action, whether he creates a personality, invents an expedient, or finds the issue of a complicated situation.

You shall judge a man by his foes as well as by his friends.