I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.

Quote by Edgar Allan Poe

Topics: Edgar Allan Poe Quotes

Words have no power to impress the mind without the exquisite horror of their reality.

Words have no power to impress the mind without the exquisite horror of their reality.

There is something in the unselfish and self-sacrificing love of a brute which goes directly...

There is something in the unselfish and self-sacrificing love of a brute which goes directly...

Stupidity is a talent for misconception.

Stupidity is a talent for misconception.

Filled with mingled cream and amber I will drain that glass again. Such hilarious visions...

Filled with mingled cream and amber I will drain that glass again. Such hilarious visions...

I have, indeed, no abhorrence of danger, except in its absolute effect - in terror.

I have, indeed, no abhorrence of danger, except in its absolute effect - in terror.

As a poet and as a mathematician, he would reason well; as a mere mathematician,...

As a poet and as a mathematician, he would reason well; as a mere mathematician,...

The boundaries which divide Life from Death are at best shadowy and vague. Who shall...

The boundaries which divide Life from Death are at best shadowy and vague. Who shall...

In criticism I will be bold, and as sternly, absolutely just with friend and foe....

In criticism I will be bold, and as sternly, absolutely just with friend and foe....

It will be found, in fact, that the ingenious are always fanciful, and the truly...

It will be found, in fact, that the ingenious are always fanciful, and the truly...

Of puns it has been said that those who most dislike them are those who...

Of puns it has been said that those who most dislike them are those who...

That pleasure which is at once the most pure, the most elevating and the most...

That pleasure which is at once the most pure, the most elevating and the most...

Man's real life is happy, chiefly because he is ever expecting that it soon will...

Man's real life is happy, chiefly because he is ever expecting that it soon will...

A strong argument for the religion of Christ is this - that offences against Charity...

A strong argument for the religion of Christ is this - that offences against Charity...

There are moments when, even to the sober eye of Reason, the world of our...

There are moments when, even to the sober eye of Reason, the world of our...

Filled with mingled cream and amber I will drain that glass again. Such hilarious visions...

Filled with mingled cream and amber I will drain that glass again. Such hilarious visions...

Were I called on to define, very briefly, the term Art, I should call it...

Were I called on to define, very briefly, the term Art, I should call it...

It is by no means an irrational fancy that, in a future existence, we shall...

It is by no means an irrational fancy that, in a future existence, we shall...

It is the nature of truth in general, as of some ores in particular, to...

It is the nature of truth in general, as of some ores in particular, to...

If you shut the door to all errors, truth will be shut out.

If you shut the door to all errors, truth will be shut out.

Fiction is the truth inside the lie.

Fiction is the truth inside the lie.