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.

Quote by William Hazlitt

Topics: Genius Quotes, Learning Quotes

To give a reason for anything is to breed a doubt of it.

To give a reason for anything is to breed a doubt of it.

The true barbarian is he who thinks everything barbarous but his own tastes and prejudices.

The true barbarian is he who thinks everything barbarous but his own tastes and prejudices.

Some one is generally sure to be the sufferer by a joke.

Some one is generally sure to be the sufferer by a joke.

There is nothing good to be had in the country, or if there is, they...

There is nothing good to be had in the country, or if there is, they...

Hope is the best possession. None are completely wretched but those who are without hope....

Hope is the best possession. None are completely wretched but those who are without hope....

Man is a make-believe animal: he is never so truly himself as when he is...

Man is a make-believe animal: he is never so truly himself as when he is...

We often choose a friend as we do a mistress - for no particular excellence...

We often choose a friend as we do a mistress - for no particular excellence...

I should like to spend the whole of my life in traveling abroad, if I...

I should like to spend the whole of my life in traveling abroad, if I...

Every man, in his own opinion, forms an exception to the ordinary rules of morality.

Every man, in his own opinion, forms an exception to the ordinary rules of morality.

Fame is the inheritance not of the dead, but of the living. It is we...

Fame is the inheritance not of the dead, but of the living. It is we...

The humblest painter is a true scholar; and the best of scholars the scholar of...

The humblest painter is a true scholar; and the best of scholars the scholar of...

The love of fame is almost another name for the love of excellence; or it...

The love of fame is almost another name for the love of excellence; or it...

A hypocrite despises those whom he deceives, but has no respect for himself. He would...

A hypocrite despises those whom he deceives, but has no respect for himself. He would...

One would imagine that books were, like women, the worse for being old : that...

One would imagine that books were, like women, the worse for being old : that...

The public is so in awe of its own opinion that it never dares to...

The public is so in awe of its own opinion that it never dares to...

When a thing ceases to be a subject of controversy, it ceases to be a...

When a thing ceases to be a subject of controversy, it ceases to be a...

He will never have true friends who is afraid of making enemies.

He will never have true friends who is afraid of making enemies.

Walk groundly, talk profoundly, drink roundly, sleep soundly.

Walk groundly, talk profoundly, drink roundly, sleep soundly.

First, the baby loves mother's milk; second, he learns of his mother and father; third,...

First, the baby loves mother's milk; second, he learns of his mother and father; third,...

Souls of poets dead and gone, What Elysium have ye known, Happy field or mossy...

Souls of poets dead and gone, What Elysium have ye known, Happy field or mossy...