James Russell Lowell was a well-acclaimed American poet, essayist, editor. After completing his degree in law he wrote his first collection of poetry titled ‘A Year’s Life’ which was well appreciated by the masses. This encouraged him to quit law and seriously pursue his writing career to publish his second book titled ‘Poems’. He even worked as an editorial writer for an abolitionist journal inspired by his abolitionist and poet wife Maria White. During this period he wrote fifty anti-slavery articles and also wrote essays requesting the abolition of slavery in a book titled ‘Conversations On Some of the Old Poets’. He wrote various books and journals including ‘The Vision of Sir Launfal’ and ‘Poems: Second Series’. His most notable work was ‘The Biglow Papers’ which nurtured his reputation as a poet. He also served as an editor for a couple of magazines and even showed his interest towards politics. Here is a compilation of thoughts and quotations by the Romantic poet which have been extracted from his writings, poems, essays, speeches and books. Read through the inspiring quotes by James Russell Lowell on nature, reviews, self-discovery, growing-old, death, democracy and statesmanship.
Of courage and security from every sod of it would have evaporated beyond recall. We should be irrevocably cut
- Abraham Lincoln, James Russell Lowell
In creating the only hard thing's to begin
- James Russell Lowell
He chooses his language for its rich canorousness rather than for intensity of meaning.
- Among My Books, James Russell Lowell
A wise skepticism is the first attribute of a good critic.
- James Russell Lowell
It was in making education not only common to all, but in some sense compulsory on all, that the destiny of the free republics of America was practically settled.
- James Russell Lowell
Puritanism, believing itself quick with the seed of religious liberty, laid, without knowing it, the egg of democracy.
- James Russell Lowell
The surest plan to make a Man
Is, think him so.
- James Russell Lowell
Kesombongan dan kelemahan adalah kembar siam.
- James Russell Lowell
The foolish and the dead alone never change their opinion.
- Abraham Lincoln, James Russell Lowell
An appeal to the reason of the people has never been known to fail in the long run.
- James Russell Lowell
On Lincoln: "A profound common sense is the best genius for statesmanship.
- Abraham Lincoln, James Russell Lowell
Democracy has a habit of making itself generally disagreeable by asking the powers-that-be at the most inconvenient moment whether they are the powers-that-ought-to-be
- James Russell Lowell
A weed is no more than a flower in disguise.
- James Russell Lowell
There is no better ballast for keeping the mind steady on its keel, and saving it from all risk of crankiness, than business.
- James Russell Lowell
Things always seem fairer when we look back at them, and it is out of that inaccessible tower of the past that Longing leans and beckons.
- James Russell Lowell
Even as the roots, shut in the darksome earth,
Share in the tree top's joyance, and conceive
Of sunshine and wide air and winged things,
By sympathy of nature, so do I
- James Russell Lowell
Joy comes, grief goes, we know not how.
- James Russell Lowell
No man can produce great things who is not thoroughly sincere in dealing with himself.
- James Russell Lowell
There is no good arguing with the inevitable. The only argument available with an east wind is to put on your overcoat.
- James Russell Lowell
At the devil's booth are all things sold. Each ounce of dross costs its ounce of gold.
- The Vision of Sir Launfal. the Cathedral. Favorite Poems. by James Russell Lowell., James Russell Lowell
Not what we give,
But what we share,
For the gift
without the giver
Is bare.
- James Russell Lowell
Solitude is as needful to the imagination as society is wholesome for the character.
- James Russell Lowell
The nurse of full-grown souls is solitude.
- James Russell Lowell
Mishaps are like knives, that either serve us or cut us, as we grasp them by the blade or by the handle.
- James Russell Lowell
Nature fits all her children with something to do, he who would write and can't write, can surely review.
- James Russell Lowell
The mind can weave itself warmly in the cocoon of its own thoughts, and dwell a hermit anywhere.
- James Russell Lowell
A sneer is the weapon of the weak.
- James Russell Lowell
Whatever you may be sure of, be sure of this, that you are dreadfully like other people.
- James Russell Lowell
Democracy gives every man the right to be his own oppressor.
- James Russell Lowell
A wise man travels to discover himself.
- James Russell Lowell
All the beautiful sentiments in the world weigh less than a single lovely action.
- James Russell Lowell
Books are the bees which carry the quickening pollen from one to another mind.
