1819-1891, American Poet, Critic, Editor
A reading machine, always wound up and going, he mastered whatever was not worth the knowing.
James Russell Lowell – [Scholars and Scholarship]
A sneer is the weapon of the weak.
James Russell Lowell – [Critics and Criticism]
A wise skepticism is the first attribute of a good critic.
James Russell Lowell – [Critics and Criticism]
An appeal to the reason of the people has never been known to fail in the long run.
James Russell Lowell – [Reason]
As life runs on, the road grows strange with faces new — and near the end. The milestones into headstones change, Neath every one a friend.
James Russell Lowell – [Age and Aging]
Blessed are they who have nothing to say and who cannot be persuaded to say it.
James Russell Lowell – [Words]
Books are the bees which carry the quickening pollen from one to another mind.
James Russell Lowell – [Books and Reading]
But life is sweet, though all that makes it sweet. Lessen like sound of friends departing feet; And death is beautiful as feet of friend. Coming with welcome at our journey's end.
James Russell Lowell – [Death and Dying]
Compromise makes a good umbrella, but a poor roof; it is temporary expedient, often wise in party politics, almost sure to be unwise ;in statesmanship.
James Russell Lowell – [Compromise]
Democracy give every man the right to be his own oppressor.
James Russell Lowell – [Democracy]
Endurance is the crowning quality…
James Russell Lowell – [Perseverance]
Every man feels instinctively that all the beautiful sentiments in the world weigh less than a single lovely action.
James Russell Lowell – [Deeds and Good Deeds]
Every person born into this world their work is born with them.
James Russell Lowell – [Work]
Folks never understand the folks they hate.
James Russell Lowell – [Understanding]
Fortune is the rod of the weak, and the staff of the brave.
James Russell Lowell – [Fortune]
Freedom is the only law which genius knows.
James Russell Lowell – [Freedom]
Good luck is the willing handmaid of a upright and energetic character, and conscientious observance of duty.
James Russell Lowell – [Luck]
Greatly begin. Though thou have time, but for a line, be that sublime . Not failure, but low aim is crime.
James Russell Lowell – [Ambition]
He mastered whatever was not worth the knowing.
James Russell Lowell – [Knowledge]
I don't believe in principle, but I do in interest.
James Russell Lowell – [Interest]