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Humour is the describing the ludicrous as it is in itself wit is the exposing it, by comparing or contrasting it with something else. Humour is, as it were, the growth of nature and accident wit is the product of art and fancy.

William Hazlitt

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William Hazlitt
Journalist
Literary Critic
Literary Historian
Painter
Philosopher
Writer
Wm. Haslett
William Carew Hazlitt
Products
Describing
Growth
Humour
Funny
Accident
Art
Wit
Else
Compare
Contrasting
Nature
Fancy
Ludicrous
Something
Accidents
Comparing
Product
Exposing

More quotes by William Hazlitt

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The origin of all science is the desire to know causes, and the origin of all false science is the desire to accept false causes rather than none or, which is the same thing, in the unwillingness to acknowledge our own ignorance.
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[Science is] the desire to know causes.
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We go on a journey to be free of all impediments to leave ourselves behind much more than to get rid of others
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We are all of us, more or less, the slaves of opinion.
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A felon could plead benefit of clergy and be saved by [reading aloud] what was aptly enough termed the neck verse, which was very usually the Miserere mei of Psalm 51.
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There is a quiet repose and steadiness about the happiness of age, if the life has been well spent. Its feebleness is not painful. The nervous system has lost its acuteness. But, in mature years we feel that a burn, a scald, a cut, is more tolerable than it was in the sensitive period of youth.
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Talent is the capacity of doing anything that depends on application and industry and it is a voluntary power, while genius is involuntary.
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The same reason makes a man a religious enthusiast that makes a man an enthusiast in any other way ... an uncomfortable mind in an uncomfortable body.
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It is better to desire than to enjoy, to love than to be loved.
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When I take up a book I have read before, I know what to expect the satisfaction is not lessened by being anticipated. I shake hands with, and look our old tried and valued friend in the face,--compare notes and chat the hour away.
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There is no prejudice so strong as that which arises from a fancied exemption from all prejudice.
William Hazlitt
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To impress the idea of power on others, they must be made in some way to feel it.
William Hazlitt
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True friendship is self-love at second-hand.
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Pride goes before a fall, they say, And yet we often find, The folks who throw all pride away Most often fall behind.
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The best kind of conversation is that which may be called thinking aloud.
William Hazlitt
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To the proud the slightest repulse or disappointment is the last indignity.
William Hazlitt
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It might be argued, that to be a knave is the gift of fortune, but to play the fool to advantage it is necessary to be a learned man.
William Hazlitt
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Grace in women has more effect than beauty.
William Hazlitt
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The essence of poetry is will and passion.
William Hazlitt
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Men of gravity are intellectual stammerers, whose thoughts move slowly.
William Hazlitt