Conversation is interesting in proportion to the originality of the central ideas which serve as pivots and the fitness of the little facts and observations which are contributed by the talkers. Philip Gilbert Hamerton More Quotes by Philip Gilbert Hamerton More Quotes From Philip Gilbert Hamerton The only hope of preserving what is best, lies in the practice of an immense charity, a wide tolerance, a sincere respect for opinions that are not ours. Philip Gilbert Hamerton inspiration practice lying Culture is like wealth; it makes us more ourselves, it enables us to express ourselves Philip Gilbert Hamerton wealth culture The one mistake which is committed habitually by people who have the gift of half-genius, is waiting for inspiration. Philip Gilbert Hamerton inspiration mistake people What delights us in the spring is more a sensation than an appearance, more a hope than any visible reality. There is something in the softness of the air, in the lengthening of the days, in the very sounds and odors of the sweet time, that caresses us and consoles us after the rigorous weeks of winter. Philip Gilbert Hamerton winter spring sweet In learning to know other things, and other minds, we become more intimately acquainted with ourselves, and are to ourselves better worth knowing. Philip Gilbert Hamerton knowing mind inspirational A perfect life is like that of a ship of war which has its own place in the fleet and can share in its strength and discipline, but can also go forth alone in the solitude of the infinite sea. We ought to belong to society, to have our place in it, and yet be capable of a complete individual existence outside of it. Philip Gilbert Hamerton sea war life Have you ever observed that we pay much more attention to a wise passage when it is quoted, than when we read it in the original author? Philip Gilbert Hamerton wise pay attention Fashion is nothing more than the temporary custom of rich and idle people who make it their principal business to study the external elegance of life. Philip Gilbert Hamerton fashion study people Never be afraid of What is good; the good is always the road to what is true. Philip Gilbert Hamerton goodness The happiest life is that which constantly exercises and educates what is best in us. Philip Gilbert Hamerton development-and-growth strength exercise The opinions of men who think are always growing and changing, like living children. Philip Gilbert Hamerton men life children Thackeray and Balzac will make it possible for our descendants to live over again the England and France of to-day. Seen in this light, the novelist has a higher office than merely and amuse his contemporaries. Philip Gilbert Hamerton novelists office light High culture always isolates, always drives men out of their class, and makes it more difficult for them to share naturally and easily the common class-life around them. They seek the few companions who can understand them, and when these are not to be had within a traversable distance, they sit and work alone. Philip Gilbert Hamerton distance class men We need society, and we need solitude also, as we need summer and winter, day and night, exercise and rest. Philip Gilbert Hamerton summer exercise winter Painting does not come from intelligence so much, as from sight and feeling and invention. Philip Gilbert Hamerton sight doe feelings Avowed work, even when uncongenial, is far less trying to patience than feigned pleasure. Philip Gilbert Hamerton pleasure work trying I wonder how it is that so cheerful-looking a tree as the willow should ever have become associated with ideas of sadness. Philip Gilbert Hamerton sadness tree ideas Woe unto him that is never alone, and cannot bear to be alone. Philip Gilbert Hamerton woe-unto woe solitude As there is no pleasure in military life for a soldier who fears death, so there is no independence in civil existence for the man who has an overpowering dread of solitude. Philip Gilbert Hamerton solitude military men Society will be obeyed; if you refuse obedience, you must take the consequences. Society has only one law, and that is custom. Even religion itself is socially powerful only just so far as it has custom on its side. Philip Gilbert Hamerton society powerful law
