William Hazlitt Quotes

Wit is the salt of conversation not the food.

~ William Hazlitt

Those who are fond of setting things to rights have no great objection to setting them wrong.

~ William Hazlitt

Landscape painting is the obvious resource of misanthropy.

~ William Hazlitt

Prejudice is the child of ignorance.

~ William Hazlitt

Without the aid of prejudice and custom I should not be able to find my way across the room.

~ William Hazlitt

Man is the only animal that laughs and weeps for he is the only animal that is struck with the difference between what things are and what they might have been.

~ William Hazlitt

It is essential to the triumph of reform that it shall never succeed.

~ William Hazlitt

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.

~ William Hazlitt

Learning is the knowledge of that which none but the learned know.

~ William Hazlitt

Let a man's talents or virtues be what they may he will only feel satisfaction as he is satisfied in himself.

~ William Hazlitt

Let a man's talents or virtues be what they may he will only feel satisfaction in his society as he is satisfied in himself.

~ William Hazlitt

Those people who are uncomfortable in themselves are disagreeable to others.

~ William Hazlitt

As is our confidence so is our capacity.

~ William Hazlitt

A life of action and danger moderates the dread of death. It not only gives us fortitude to bear pain but teaches us at every step the precarious tenure on which we hold our present being.

~ William Hazlitt

If a person has no delicacy he has you in his power.

~ William Hazlitt

There is nothing good to be had in the country or if there be they will not let you have it.

~ William Hazlitt

To write a genuine familiar or truly English style, is to write as any one would speak in common conversation who had a thorough command and choice of words, or who could discourse with ease, force, and perspicuity, setting aside all pedantic and oratorical flourishes.

~ William Hazlitt

The most insignificant people are the most apt to sneer at others. They are safe from reprisals. And have no hope of rising in their own self esteem but by lowering their neighbors.

~ William Hazlitt

A hypocrite despises those whom he deceives, but has no respect for himself. He would make a dupe of himself too, if he could.

~ William Hazlitt

There is a secret pride in every human heart that revolts at tyranny. You may order and drive an individual, but you cannot make him respect you.

~ William Hazlitt

Those who are at war with others are not at peace with themselves.

~ William Hazlitt

Wit is the salt of conversation, not the food.

~ William Hazlitt

A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles.

~ William Hazlitt

We do not see nature with our eyes, but with our understandings and our hearts.

~ William Hazlitt

To be capable of steady friendship or lasting love, are the two greatest proofs, not only of goodness of heart, but of strength of mind.

~ William Hazlitt

Even in the common affairs of life, in love, friendship, and marriage, how little security have we when we trust our happiness in the hands of others!

~ William Hazlitt

Learning is its own exceeding great reward.

~ William Hazlitt

There is a heroism in crime as well as in virtue. Vice and infamy have their altars and their religion.

~ William Hazlitt

Grace in women has more effect than beauty.

~ William Hazlitt

The love of liberty is the love of others the love of power is the love of ourselves.

~ William Hazlitt

If you give an audience a chance they will do half your acting for you.

~ William Hazlitt

Zeal will do more than knowledge.

~ William Hazlitt

The seat of knowledge is in the head; of wisdom, in the heart. We are sure to judge wrong, if we do not feel right.

~ William Hazlitt

An honest man speaks the truth, though it may give offence; a vain man, in order that it may.

~ William Hazlitt

We are very much what others think of us. The reception our observations meet with gives us courage to proceed, or damps our efforts.

~ William Hazlitt

Look up, laugh loud, talk big, keep the color in your cheek and the fire in your eye, adorn your person, maintain your health, your beauty and your animal spirits.

~ William Hazlitt

You know more of a road by having traveled it than by all the conjectures and descriptions in the world.

~ William Hazlitt

A wise traveler never despises his own country.

~ William Hazlitt

It is not fit that every man should travel; it makes a wise man better, and a fool worse.

~ William Hazlitt

A nickname is the heaviest stone that the devil can throw at a man. It is a bugbear to the imagination, and, though we do not believe in it, it still haunts our apprehensions.

~ William Hazlitt