Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

45 Profound Washington Irving Quotes That Will Inspire You

Famous As: Author, Historian, Diplomat
Born On: April 3, 1783
Died On: November 28, 1859
Born In: New York City, New York
Died At Age: 76
Washington Irving was a 19th century American short-story writer, famous as ‘the first American Man of Letters’. Apart from short stories, he also wrote essays, biographies and was a well-known diplomat. He gained international fame from his short stories ‘Rip Van Winkle’ and ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’. He was one of the first writers from America who were praised in Europe. As a child he was not much interested in studies and used to bunk classes to fulfill his love for adventure stories and drama. At the age of 19, helped by his elder brother, he started writing essays for the ‘Morning Chronicle’. He went on to write biographies of famous people and the most notable one was that of George Washington which was completed a few months before his death. Go through these quotes by the ‘first literary star’ of America. Read on the compilation of quotations and thoughts by Washington Irving which have been scanned from his essays, writings, books, novels, stories, biographies and work.
There is a sacredness in tears....They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition and of unspeakable love.

There is a sacredness in tears....They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition and of unspeakable love.

Washington Irving
There is in every true woman's heart a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity; but which kindles up, and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity.

There is in every true woman's heart a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity; but which kindles up, and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity.

Washington Irving
Great minds have purpose, others have wishes. Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortunes; but great minds rise above them.

Great minds have purpose, others have wishes. Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortunes; but great minds rise above them.

Washington Irving
I profess not to know how women's hearts are wooed and won. To me they have always been matters of riddle and admiration.

I profess not to know how women's hearts are wooed and won. To me they have always been matters of riddle and admiration.

Washington Irving
Love is never lost. If not reciprocated, it will flow back and soften and purify the heart.

Love is never lost. If not reciprocated, it will flow back and soften and purify the heart.

Washington Irving
Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.

Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.

Washington Irving
Sweet is the memory of distant friends! Like the mellow rays of the departing sun, it falls tenderly, yet sadly, on the heart.

Sweet is the memory of distant friends! Like the mellow rays of the departing sun, it falls tenderly, yet sadly, on the heart.

Washington Irving
There is a certain relief in change, even though it be from bad to worse; as I have found in traveling in a stage coach, that it is often a comfort to shift one's position and be bruised in a new place.

There is a certain relief in change, even though it be from bad to worse; as I have found in traveling in a stage coach, that it is often a comfort to shift one's position and be bruised in a new place.

Washington Irving
Others may write from the head, but he writes from the heart, and the heart will always understand him.

Others may write from the head, but he writes from the heart, and the heart will always understand him.

Washington Irving
A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles.

A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles.

Washington Irving
A tart temper never mellows with age, and a sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use.

A tart temper never mellows with age, and a sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use.

Washington Irving
Great minds have purposes, others have wishes.

Great minds have purposes, others have wishes.

Washington Irving
And if unhappy in her love, her heart is like some fortress that has been captured, and sacked, and abandoned, and left desolate...

And if unhappy in her love, her heart is like some fortress that has been captured, and sacked, and abandoned, and left desolate...

Washington Irving
To look upon its grass grown yard, where the sunbeams seem to sleep so quietly, one would think that there at least the dead might rest in peace.

To look upon its grass grown yard, where the sunbeams seem to sleep so quietly, one would think that there at least the dead might rest in peace.

Washington Irving
There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness but of power. They are messengers of overwhelming grief and of unspeakable love.

There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness but of power. They are messengers of overwhelming grief and of unspeakable love.

Washington Irving
There are certain half-dreaming moods of mind in which we naturally steal away from noise and glare, and seek some quiet haunt where we may indulge our reveries and build our air castles undisturbed.

There are certain half-dreaming moods of mind in which we naturally steal away from noise and glare, and seek some quiet haunt where we may indulge our reveries and build our air castles undisturbed.

Washington Irving
After a man passes 60 , his mischief is mainly in his head

After a man passes 60 , his mischief is mainly in his head

Washington Irving
The tie which links mother and child is of such pure and immaculate strength as to be never violated.

The tie which links mother and child is of such pure and immaculate strength as to be never violated.

Washington Irving
It is almost startling to hear this warning of departed time sounding among the tombs, and telling the lapse of the hour, which, like a billow, has rolled us onward towards the grave.

It is almost startling to hear this warning of departed time sounding among the tombs, and telling the lapse of the hour, which, like a billow, has rolled us onward towards the grave.

Washington Irving
There is a sacredness in tears

There is a sacredness in tears

Washington Irving
Balt Van Tassel was an easy indulgent soul; he loved his daughter better even than his pipe, and, like a reasonable man and an excellent father, let her have her way in everything.

Balt Van Tassel was an easy indulgent soul; he loved his daughter better even than his pipe, and, like a reasonable man and an excellent father, let her have her way in everything.

Washington Irving
There is a serene and settled majesty to woodland scenery that enters into the soul and delights and elevates it, and fills it with noble inclinations.

There is a serene and settled majesty to woodland scenery that enters into the soul and delights and elevates it, and fills it with noble inclinations.

Washington Irving
Poetry had breathed over and sanctified the land.

Poetry had breathed over and sanctified the land.

Washington Irving
The only happy author in this world is he who is below the care of reputation.

The only happy author in this world is he who is below the care of reputation.

Washington Irving
...ducks and geese are foolish things, and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves.

...ducks and geese are foolish things, and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves.

Washington Irving
For my part, I love to give myself up to the illusion of poetry. A hero of fiction that never existed is just as valuable to me as a hero of history that existed a thousand years ago.

For my part, I love to give myself up to the illusion of poetry. A hero of fiction that never existed is just as valuable to me as a hero of history that existed a thousand years ago.

Washington Irving
A father may turn his back on his child, brothers and sisters may become inveterate enemies, husbands may desert their wives, wives their husbands. But a mother's love endures through all.

A father may turn his back on his child, brothers and sisters may become inveterate enemies, husbands may desert their wives, wives their husbands. But a mother's love endures through all.

Washington Irving
Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortune; but great minds rise above them.

Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortune; but great minds rise above them.

Washington Irving
They are given to all kinds of marvellous beliefs; are subject to trances and visions; and frequently see strange sights, and hear music and voices in the air.

They are given to all kinds of marvellous beliefs; are subject to trances and visions; and frequently see strange sights, and hear music and voices in the air.

Washington Irving
There is nothing like the silence and loneliness of night to bring dark shadows over the brightest mind.

There is nothing like the silence and loneliness of night to bring dark shadows over the brightest mind.

Washington Irving