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The secret of the man who is universally interesting is that he is universally interested.
William Dean Howells
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William Dean Howells
Age: 83 †
Born: 1837
Born: March 1
Died: 1920
Died: May 11
Author
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Essayist
Journalist
Literary Critic
Novelist
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Science Fiction Writer
Belmont County
Ohio
William Howells
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Universally
More quotes by William Dean Howells
n artistic atmosphere does not create artists a literary atmosphere does not create literators poets and painters spring up where there was never a verse made or a picture seen. This suggests that God is no more idle now than He was at the beginning, but that He is still and forever shaping the human chaos into the instruments and means of beauty.
William Dean Howells
The book which you read from a sense of duty, or because for any reason you must, does not commonly make friends with you.
William Dean Howells
I know, indeed, of nothing more subtly satisfying and cheering than a knowledge of the real good will and appreciation of others. Such happiness does not come with money, nor does it flow from fine physical state. It cannot be brought. But it is the keenest joy, after all and the toiler's truest and best reward.
William Dean Howells
In Europe life is histrionic and dramatized, and in America, except when it is trying to be European, it is direct and sincere.
William Dean Howells
The disposition to give a cup of cold water to a disciple is a far nobler property than the finest intellect. Satan has a fine intellect, but not the image of God.
William Dean Howells
We are creatures of the moment we live from one little space to another, and only one interest at a time fills these.
William Dean Howells
Lord, for the erring thoughtNot into evil wrought:Lord, for the wicked willBetrayed and baffled still:For the heart from itself kept,Our thanksgiving accept.
William Dean Howells
How is it the great pieces of good luck fall to us?
William Dean Howells
The mortality of all inanimate things is terrible to me, but that of books most of all.
William Dean Howells
Do not trouble yourselves about standards or ideals but try to be faithful and natural: remember that there is no greatness, no beauty, which does not come from truth to your own knowledge of things and keep on working, even if your work is not long remembered.
William Dean Howells
If ever the public was betrayed by its press, it's ours.
William Dean Howells
A friend knows how to allow for mere quantity in your talk, and only replies to the quality.
William Dean Howells
Out of the fragrant heart of bloom, The bobolinks are singing Out of the fragrant heart of bloom The apple-tree whispers to the room, Why art thou but a nest of gloom While the bobolinks are singing?
William Dean Howells
Lord, for the erring thought Not unto evil wrought: Lord, for the wicked will Betrayed, and baffled still: For the heart from itself kept, Our thanksgiving accept. For ignorant hopes that were Broken to our blind prayer: For pain, death, sorrow, sent Unto our chastisement: For all loss of seeming good, Quicken our gratitude.
William Dean Howells
What the American public wants in the theater is a tragedy with a happy ending.
William Dean Howells
Each one of us must suffer long to himself before he can learn that he is but one in a great community of wretchedness which has been pitilessly repeating itself from the foundation of the world.
William Dean Howells
Why art thou but a nest of gloom While the bobolinks are singing?
William Dean Howells
Some people stay longer in an hour than others can in a week.
William Dean Howells
It is the curse of prosperity that it takes work away from us, and shuts that door to hope and health of spirit.
William Dean Howells
The wars come and go in blood and tears but whether they are bad wars, or what are comically called good wars, they are of one effect in death and sorrow.
William Dean Howells
