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Whatever excites the spirit of contradiction is capable of producing the last effects of heroism which is only the highest pitch of obstinacy, in a good or bad cause, in wisdom or folly.

William Hazlitt

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William Hazlitt
Journalist
Literary Critic
Literary Historian
Painter
Philosopher
Writer
Wm. Haslett
William Carew Hazlitt
Lasts
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Spirit
Effects
Obstinacy
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More quotes by William Hazlitt

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The only true retirement is that of the heart the only true leisure is the repose of the passions. To such persons it makes little difference whether they are young or old and they die as they have lived, with graceful resignation.
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The last sort I shall mention are verbal critics - mere word-catchers, fellows that pick out a word in a sentence and a sentence in a volume, and tell you it is wrong. The title of Ultra-Crepidarian critics has been given to a variety of this species.
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As hypocrisy is said to be the highest compliment to virtue, the art of lying is the strongest acknowledgment of the force of truth.
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A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles.
William Hazlitt
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I can enjoy society in a room but out of doors, nature is company enough for me
William Hazlitt
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The truth is, we pamper little griefs into great ones, and bear great ones as well as we can.
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When I am in the country, I wish to vegetate like the country.
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[Science is] the desire to know causes.
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Every man depends on the quantity of sense, wit, or good manners he brings into society for the reception he meets with in it.
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Envy is a littleness of soul, which cannot see beyond a certain point, and if it does not occupy the whole space feels itself excluded.
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There is no flattery so adroit or effectual as that of implicit assent.
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Many a man would have turned rogue if he knew how.
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The fear of approaching death, which in youth we imagine must cause inquietude to the aged, is very seldom the source of much uneasiness.
William Hazlitt
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The diffusion of taste is not the same thing as the improvement of taste.
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General principles are not the less true or important because from their nature they elude immediate observation they are like the air, which is not the less necessary because we neither see nor feel it.
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If we wish to know the force of human genius, we should read Shakespeare. If we wish to see the insignificance of human learning, we may study his commentators.
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Books let us into their souls and lay open to us the secrets of our own.
William Hazlitt
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By despising all that has preceded us, we teach others to despise ourselves.
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Silence is one great art of conversation. He is not a fool who knows when to hold his tongue and a person may gain credit for sense, eloquence, wit, who merely says nothing to lessen the opinion which others have of these qualities in themselves.
William Hazlitt
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Prosperity is a great teacher adversity a greater.
William Hazlitt