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Ah, in this world, where every guiding thread Ends suddenly in the one sure centre, death, The visionary hand of Might-have-been Alone can fill Desire's cup to the brim!

James Russell Lowell

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James Russell Lowell
Age: 72 †
Born: 1819
Born: February 22
Died: 1891
Died: August 12
Diplomat
Essayist
Journalist
Literary Critic
Poet
Writer
Cambridge
Massachusetts
Hands
Fill
Ends
Suddenly
Brim
Might
Regret
Visionary
Every
Hand
Guiding
World
Alone
Visionaries
Sure
Centre
Desire
Thread
Death
Cups

More quotes by James Russell Lowell

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The future works out great men's destinies The present is enough for common souls, Who, never looking forward, are indeed Mere clay wherein the footprints of their age Are petrified forever.
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I don't believe in principle, but I do in interest.
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Ah, men do not know how much strength is in poise, That he goes the farthest who goes far enough.
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The story of any one man's real experience finds its startling parallel in that of every one of us.
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Not but wut abstract war is horrid, I sign to thet with all my heart, But civilysation doos git forrid Sometimes, upon a powder-cart.
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I have always been of the mind that in a democracy manners are the only effective weapons against the bowie-knife.
James Russell Lowell
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Virtue treads paths that end not in the grave.
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There are two kinds of genius. The first and highest may be said to speak out of the eternal to the present, and must compel its age to understand it the second understands its age, and tells it what it wishes to be told.
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In life's small things be resolute and great To keep thy muscle trained Know'st thou when Fate Thy measure takes, or when she'll say to thee, I find thee worthy do this deed for me?
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Analysis is carried into everything. Even Deity is subjected to chemical tests.
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The stiff rails were softened to swan's-down, and still fluttered down the snow.
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Good heavens, of what un costly material is our earthly happiness composed... if we only knew it. What incomes have we not had from a flower, and how unfailing are the dividends of the seasons.
James Russell Lowell
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He gives us the very quintessence of perception,-the clearly crystalized precipitation of all that is most precious in the ferment of impression after the impertinent and obtrusive particulars have evaporated from the memory.
James Russell Lowell
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They have rights who dare maintain them.
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That pernicious sentiment, Our country, right or wrong.
James Russell Lowell
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Wealth may be an excellent thing, for it means power, and it means leisure, it means liberty.
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Let us be of good cheer, however, remembering that the misfortunes hardest to bear are those which never come.
James Russell Lowell
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Darkness is strong, and so is Sin, But surely God endures forever!
James Russell Lowell
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There is no work of genius which has not been the delight of mankind, no word of genius to which the human heart and soul have not sooner or later responded.
James Russell Lowell
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Whom the heart of man shuts out, Sometimes the heart of God takes in, And fences them all round about With silence mid the worlds loud din.
James Russell Lowell