James Russell Lowell quotes - page 9

Democracy is that form of society, no matter what its political classification, in which every man has a chance and knows that he has it. (James Russell Lowell)
They are slaves who fear to speak,For the fallen and the weak. View quote
James Russell Lowell
Whatever you may be sure of, be sure of this, that you are dreadfully like other people. View quote
James Russell Lowell
This imputation of inconsistency is one to which every sound politician and every honest thinker must sooner or later subject himself. The foolish and the dead alone never change their opinion. View quote
James Russell Lowell
Joy comes, grief goes, we know not how; Everything is happy now, Everything is upward striving. View quote
James Russell Lowell
The Holy Supper is kept, indeed, In whatso we share with another's need,-. View quote
James Russell Lowell
Not only around our infancy Doth heaven with all its splendors lie. View quote
James Russell Lowell
What men call treasure, and the gods call dross, Life seems a jest of Fate's contriving, Only secure in every one's conniving, A long account of nothings paid with loss. View quote
James Russell Lowell
They were not seduced by the French fallacy that a new system of government could be ordered like a new suit of clothes. They would as soon have thought of ordering a new suit of flesh and skin. It is only on the roaring loom of time that the stuff is woven for such a vesture of their thought and experience as they were meditating. View quote
James Russell Lowell
God, give us Peace! not such as lulls to sleep, But sword on thigh and brow with purpose knit! View quote
James Russell Lowell
Though the cause of Evil prosper, yet 'tis Truth alone is strong, And, albeit she wander outcast now, I see around her throng Troops of beautiful, tall angels, to enshield her from all wrong. (James Russell Lowell)
Democracy in its best sense is merely the letting in of light and air. View quote
James Russell Lowell
I have hinted that what people are afraid of in democracy is less the thing itself than what they conceive to be its necessary adjuncts and consequences. View quote
James Russell Lowell
Nor attempt the Future's portal with the Past's blood-rusted key. View quote
James Russell Lowell
I do not believe in violent changes, nor do I expect them. View quote
James Russell Lowell
Is true Freedom but to break Fetters for our own dear sake, And, with leathern hearts, forget That we owe mankind a debt? View quote
James Russell Lowell
And what is so rare as a day in June? View quote
James Russell Lowell
The framers of the American Constitution were far from wishing or intending to found a democracy in the strict sense of the word, though, as was inevitable, every expansion of the scheme of government they elaborated has been in a democratical direction. View quote
James Russell Lowell
Usually when people are sad, they don't do anything. They just cry over their condition. But when they get angry, they bring about a change. View quote
James Russell Lowell
On one issue at least, men and women agree; they both distrust women. View quote
James Russell Lowell
Once to every man and nation comes the moment to decide, In the strife of Truth with Falsehood, for the good or evil side Some great cause, God's new Messiah offering each the bloom or blight, Parts the goats upon the left hand, and the sheep upon the right And the choice goes by forever 'twixt that darkness and that light. (James Russell Lowell)
A weed is no more than a flower in disguise. View quote
James Russell Lowell
Tyranny is always weakness. View quote
James Russell Lowell
The Holy Supper is kept, indeed, In whatso we share with anothers need; Not what we give, but what we share, For the gift without the giver is bare; Who gives himself with his alms feeds three, Himself, his hungering neighbor, and me. View quote
James Russell Lowell
If God made poets for anything, it was to keep alive the traditions of the pure, the holy, and the beautiful. View quote
James Russell Lowell