Thomas Hardy quotes - page 9

You don't talk quite like a girl who has had no advantages. (Thomas Hardy)
Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock. 'Now they are all on their knees,' An elder said as we sat in a flock By the embers in hearth-side ease. We pictured the meek mild creatures where They dwelt in their strawy pen, Nor did it occur to one of us there To doubt they were kneeling then. So fair a fancy few would weave In these years yet, I feel If someone said on Christmas Eve, 'Come see the oxen kneel, In the lonely barton by yonder coomb Our childhood used to know,' I should go with him in the gloom, Hoping it might be so. View quote
Thomas Hardy
Men thin away to insignificance and oblivion quite as often by not making the most of good spirits when they have them as by lacking good spirits when they are indispensable. View quote
Thomas Hardy
Let me enjoy the earth no less Because the all-enacting Might That fashioned forth its loveliness Had other aims than my delight. View quote
Thomas Hardy
Pessimism is, in brief, playing the sure game. You cannot lose at it you may gain. It is the only view of life in which you can never be disappointed. Having reckoned what to do in the worst possible circumstances, when better arise, as they may, life becomes child's play. View quote
Thomas Hardy
I prefer the large intention of an unskillful artist to the trivial intention of an accomplished one in other words, I am more interested in the high ideas of a feeble executant than in the high execution of a feeble thinker. View quote
Thomas Hardy
You, and those like you, take your fill of pleasure on earth by making the life of such as me bitter and black with sorrow and then it is a fine thing, when you have had enough of that, to think of securing your pleasure in heaven by becoming converted. View quote
Thomas Hardy
Only a man harrowing clods In a slow silent walk With an old horse that stumbles and nods Half asleep as they stalk.Only thin smoke without flame From the heaps of couch-grass; Yet this will go onward the same Though Dynasties pass.Yonder a maid and her wight Come whispering by: War's annals will cloud into night Ere their story die. View quote
Thomas Hardy