George Henry Lewes
George Henry Lewes
George Henry Leweswas an English philosopher and critic of literature and theatre. He became part of the mid-Victorian ferment of ideas which encouraged discussion of Darwinism, positivism, and religious skepticism. However, he is perhaps best known today for having openly lived with Mary Ann Evans, who wrote under the pen-name George Eliot, as soulmates whose life and writings were enriched by their relationship, despite never marrying...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionPhilosopher
Date of Birth18 April 1817
artist phrases use
The selective instinct of the artist tells him when his language should be homely, and when it should be more elevated; and it is precisely in the imperceptible blending of the plain with the ornate that a great writer is distinguished. He uses the simplest phrases without triviality, and the grandest without a suggestion of grandiloquence.
logic argument judgment
No deeply rooted tendency was ever extirpated by adverse judgment. Not having originally been founded on argument, it cannot be destroyed by logic
art science purpose
In Science the paramount appeal is to the Intellect-its purpose being instruction; in Art, the paramount appeal is to the Emotions-its purpose being pleasure.
nature science views
Every one who has seriously investigated a novel question, who has really interrogated Nature with a view to a distinct answer, will bear me out in saying that it requires intense and sustained effort of imagination.
art views literature
It is unhappily true that much insincere Literature and Art, executed solely with a view to effect, does succeed by deceiving the public.
science poet accounts
Science is not addressed to poets.
science vision facts
The discoverer and the poet are inventors; and they are so because their mental vision detects the unapparent, unsuspected facts, almost as vividly as ocular vision rests on the apparent and familiar.
running talent murder
Murder, like talent, seems occasionally to run in families.
men trying eloquent
No man was ever eloquent by trying to be eloquent, but only by being so.
hygiene progress literature
Literature is at once the cause and the effect of social progress.
writing science library
Mathematicians do not write for the circulating library.
real people dreamer
The real people of genius were resolute workers not idle dreamers.
men views law
When a man fails to see the truth of certain generally accepted views, there is no law compelling him to provoke animosity by announcing his dissent.
artist men imagination
Imagination is not the exclusive appanage of artists, but belongs in varying degrees to all men.