Quotes by

William Hazlitt

We do not see nature with our eyes, but with our understandings and our hearts. – William Hazlitt

If we wish to know the force of human genius, we should read Shakespeare. If we wish to see the insignificance of human learning, we may study his commentators. – William Hazlitt

Learning is its own exceeding great reward. – William Hazlitt

The seat of knowledge is in the head of wisdom, in the heart. We are sure to judge wrong, if we do not feel right. – William Hazlitt

Zeal will do more than knowledge. – William Hazlitt

A nickname is the heaviest stone that the devil can throw at a man. It is a bugbear to the imagination, and, though we do not believe in it, it still haunts our apprehensions. – William Hazlitt

The most insignificant people are the most apt to sneer at others. They are safe from reprisals. And have no hope of rising in their own self esteem but by lowering their neighbors. – William Hazlitt

I would like to spend the whole of my life traveling, if I could anywhere borrow another life to spend at home. – William Hazlitt

No man is truly great who is great only in his lifetime. The test of greatness is the page of history. – William Hazlitt

Do not keep on with a mockery of friendship after the substance is gone – but part, while you can part friends. Bury the carcass of friendship: it is not worth embalming. – William Hazlitt

Few things tend more to alienate friendship than a want of punctuality in our engagements. I have known the breach of a promise to dine or sup to break up more than one intimacy. – William Hazlitt

The dupe of friendship, and the fool of love have I not reason to hate and to despise myself? Indeed I do and chiefly for not having hated and despised the world enough. – William Hazlitt

There are no rules for friendship. It must be left to itself. We cannot force it any more than love. – William Hazlitt

Even in the common affairs of life, in love, friendship, and marriage, how little security have we when we trust our happiness in the hands of others! – William Hazlitt

To be capable of steady friendship or lasting love, are the two greatest proofs, not only of goodness of heart, but of strength of mind. – William Hazlitt

Wit is the salt of conversation, not the food. – William Hazlitt

Satirists gain the applause of others through fear, not through love. – William Hazlitt

If you think you can win, you can win. Faith is necessary to victory. – William Hazlitt

Anyone who has passed though the regular gradations of a classical education, and is not made a fool by it, may consider himself as having had a very narrow escape. – William Hazlitt

Defoe says that there were a hundred thousand country fellows in his time ready to fight to the death against popery, without knowing whether popery was a man or a horse. – William Hazlitt