Most religion-mongers have bated their paradises with a bit of toasted cheese. They have tempted the body with large promises of possessions in their transmortal El Dorado. Sancho Panza will not quit his chimney-corner, but under promise of imaginary islands to govern.

James Russell Lowell

Categorized in : Religion Promise Islands

One thorn of experience is worth a whole wilderness of warning. by James Russell Lowell

One thorn of experience is worth a whole wilderness of warning.

James Russell Lowell

educational understanding knowledge

All the beautiful sentiments in the world weigh less than a singl... by James Russell Lowell

All the beautiful sentiments in the world weigh less than a single lovely action.

James Russell Lowell

inspirational love life

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

time running reality

Each day the world is born anew for him who takes it rightly. by James Russell Lowell

Each day the world is born anew for him who takes it rightly.

James Russell Lowell

new-beginnings recovery addiction

Reading enables us to see with the keenest eyes, to hear with the finest ears, and listen to the sweetest voices of all time.

James Russell Lowell

voice eye reading

One learns more metaphysics from a single temptation than from al... by James Russell Lowell

One learns more metaphysics from a single temptation than from all the philosophers.

James Russell Lowell

metaphysics philosopher temptation

Truth, after all, wears a different face to everybody, and it would be too tedious to wait till all were agreed.

James Russell Lowell

agreement truth funny

The brain can be easy to buy, but the heart never comes to market... by James Russell Lowell

The brain can be easy to buy, but the heart never comes to market.

James Russell Lowell

easy brain heart

Not what we give, but what we share, for the gift without the giv... by James Russell Lowell

Not what we give, but what we share, for the gift without the giver is bare.

James Russell Lowell

thank-you friendship giving

Folks never understand the folks they hate. by James Russell Lowell

Folks never understand the folks they hate.

James Russell Lowell

success happiness life

No man can produce great things who is not thoroughly sincere in... by James Russell Lowell

No man can produce great things who is not thoroughly sincere in dealing with himself.

James Russell Lowell

sincere literature men

Truth, after all, wears a different face to everybody, and it would be too tedious to wait till all were agreed. She is said to lie at the bottom of a well, for the very reason, perhaps, that whoever looks down in search of her sees his own image at the bottom, and is persuaded not only that he has seen the goddess, but that she is far better looking than he had imagined.

James Russell Lowell

different-faces truth lying

Freedom is the only law which genius knows. by James Russell Lowell

Freedom is the only law which genius knows.

James Russell Lowell

atheism freedom law

The question of common sense is always: 'what is it good for?' - by James Russell Lowell

The question of common sense is always: 'what is it good for?' -

James Russell Lowell

common-sense cabbage rose

Truth forever on the scaffold, Wrong forever on the throne,- by James Russell Lowell

Truth forever on the scaffold, Wrong forever on the throne,-

James Russell Lowell

shadow truth forever

The only conclusive evidence of a man's sincerity is that he gives himself for a principle. Words, money, all things else, are comparatively easy to give away; but when a man makes a gift of his daily life and practice, it is plain that the truth, whatever it may be, has taken possession of him.

James Russell Lowell

taken practice men

For only by unlearning Wisdom comes. by James Russell Lowell

For only by unlearning Wisdom comes.

James Russell Lowell

wisdom

The time is ripe, and rotten-ripe, for change... [Truth's] mirror is turned forward, to reflect The promise of the future, not the past.

James Russell Lowell

mirrors past promise

Blessed are they who have nothing to say and who cannot be persua... by James Russell Lowell

Blessed are they who have nothing to say and who cannot be persuaded to say it.

James Russell Lowell

wisdom blessed

Endurance is the crowning quality, And patience all the passion o... by James Russell Lowell

Endurance is the crowning quality, And patience all the passion of great hearts.

James Russell Lowell

passion heart patience