Except in the rare cases of great dynamic thinkers whose thoughts are as turning-points in the history of our race, it is by Style that writers gain distinction, by Style they secure their immortality. George Henry Lewes More Quotes by George Henry Lewes More Quotes From George Henry Lewes It is not true that a man can believe or disbelieve what he will. But it is certain that an active desire to find any proposition true will unconsciously tend to that result by dismissing importunate suggestions which run counter to the belief, and welcoming those which favor it. The psychological law, that we only see what interests us, and only assimilate what is adapted to our condition, causes the mind to select its evidence. George Henry Lewes running men believe No deeply rooted tendency was ever extirpated by adverse judgment. Not having originally been founded on argument, it cannot be destroyed by logic. George Henry Lewes argument judgment logic Philosophy and Art both render the invisible visible by imagination. George Henry Lewes imagination philosophy art Imagination is not the exclusive appanage of artists, but belongs in varying degrees to all men. George Henry Lewes artist imagination men Among the many strange servilities mistaken for pieties, one of the least lovely is that which hopes to flatter God by despising the world, and vilifying human nature. George Henry Lewes lovely strange world The art of writing is not, as many seem to imagine, the art of bringing fine phrases into rhythmical order, but the art of placing before the reader intelligible symbols of the thoughts and feelings in the writer's mind. George Henry Lewes writing order art To some men popularity is always suspicious. Enjoying none themselves, they are prone to suspect the validity of those attainments which command it. George Henry Lewes popularity enjoy men Ideas are forces; our acceptance of one determines our reception of others. George Henry Lewes force acceptance ideas It is not enough that a man has clearness of vision, and reliance on sincerity, he must also have the art of expression, or he will remain obscure. George Henry Lewes expression men art Shakespeare is a good raft whereon to float securely down the stream of time; fasten yourself to that and your immortality is safe. George Henry Lewes immortality streams safe The real people of genius were resolute workers not idle dreamers. George Henry Lewes dreamer real people Our native susceptibilities and acquired tastes determine which of the many qualities in an object shall most impress us, and be most clearly recalled. One man remembers the combustible properties of a substance, which to another is memorable for its polarising property; to one man a stream is so much water-power, to another a rendezvous for lovers. George Henry Lewes memorable water men The opinion of the majority is not lightly to be rejected; but neither is it to be carelessly echoed. George Henry Lewes rejected majority opinion It will often be a question when a man is or is not wise in advancing unpalatable opinions, or in preaching heresies; but it can never be a question that a man should be silent if unprepared to speak the truth as he conceives it. George Henry Lewes often-is wise men Love is blind; couch not his eyes. George Henry Lewes blind eye love-is I am suspicious without a motive, and jealous without love; although I feel I ought to love since I desire to be loved. George Henry Lewes motive jealous desire Whatever you believe to be true and false, that proclaim to be true and false; whatever you think admirable and beautiful, that should be your model, even if all your friends and all the critics storm at you as a crotchet-monger and an eccentric. George Henry Lewes beautiful believe thinking I have always considered The Merry Wives one of the worst plays, if not altogether the worst, that Shakespeare has left us. The wit for the most part is dreary or foolish; the tone is coarse and farcical; and the characters want the fine distinctive touches he so well knew how to give. If some luckless wight had written such a comedy in our time, I should like to see what the critics would say to it? George Henry Lewes play giving character In urging all writers to be steadfast in reliance on the ultimate victory of excellence, we should no less strenuously urge upon them to beware of the intemperate arrogance which attributes failure to a degraded condition of the public mind. The instinct which leads the world to worship success is not dangerous. The book which succeeds accomplishes its aim. The book which fails may have many excellencies, but they must have been misdirected. George Henry Lewes victory arrogance book To one man a stream is so much water-power, to another a rendezvous for lovers. George Henry Lewes acquired-taste water men
