James Russell Lowell Sayings and Quotes

Below you will find our collection of inspirational, wise, and humorous old James Russell Lowell quotes, James Russell Lowell sayings, and James Russell Lowell proverbs, collected over the years from a variety of sources.'

Metaphor is no argument, though it be sometimes the gunpowder to drive one home, and imbed it in the memory. James Russell Lowell
All the beautiful sentiments in the world weigh less than a single lovely action. James Russell Lowell
The mind can weave itself warmly in the cocoon of its own thoughts, and dwell a hermit anywhere. James Russell Lowell
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
A wise skepticism is the first attribute of a good critic. James Russell Lowell
The mind can weave itself warmly in the cocoon of its own thoughts, and dwell a hermit anywhere. James Russell Lowell
The mind can weave itself warmly in the cocoon of its own thoughts, and dwell a hermit anywhere. James Russell Lowell
True scholarship consists in knowing not what things exist, but what they mean; it is not memory but judgement. James Russell Lowell
Great truths are portions of the soul of man; Great souls are portions of eternity. James Russell Lowell
Truth forever on the scaffold, wrong forever on the throne. James Russell Lowell
As one lamp lights another, nor grows less, So nobleness enkindleth nobleness. James Russell Lowell
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
It is by presence of mind in untried emergencies that the native metal of man is tested. James Russell Lowell
All thoughtful men are solitary and original in themselves. James Russell Lowell
No mud can soil us but the mud we throw. James Russell Lowell
The soil out of which such men as he are made is good to be born on, good to live on, good to die for and to be buried in. James Russell Lowell
The riches of scholarship, the benignities of literature, defy fortune and outlive calamity. They are beyond the reach of thief or moth or rust. As they cannot be inherited, so they cannot, be alienated. James Russell Lowell
True scholarship consists in knowing not what things exist, but what they mean; it is not memory but judgment. James Russell Lowell
Evil is a far more cunning and persevering propagandist than good, for it has no inward strength, and is driven to seek countenance and sympathy. James Russell Lowell
Compromise makes a good umbrella, but a poor roof. James Russell Lowell
It is the privilege of genius that life never grows common place, as it does for the rest of us. James Russell Lowell
The idol is the measure of the worshipper. James Russell Lowell
The idol is the measure of the worshipper. James Russell Lowell
And but two ways are offered to our will, Toil with rare triumph, ease with safe disgrace, The problem still for us and all of human race. James Russell Lowell
Every man feels instinctively that all the beautiful sentiments in the world weigh less than a single lovely action. James Russell Lowell
And what is so rare as a day in June? / Then, if ever, come perfect days; / Then heaven tries the earth if it be tune, / And over it softly her warm ear lays: / Whether we look, or whether we listen, / We hear life murmur, or see it glisten; / Every clod feels a stir of might, / An instinct within it that reaches and towers, / And, grasping blindly above it for light, / Climbs to a soul in grass and flowers... James Russell Lowell
May is a pious fraud of the almanac, / A ghastly parody of real spring James Russell Lowell
Maiden, when such a soul as thine is born, / The morning-stars their ancient music make. James Russell Lowell
The gift without the giver is rare. James Russell Lowell
Thank God every morning when you get up that you have something to do that day, which must be done, whether you like it or not. James Russell Lowell