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
race style gains
Except in the rare cases of great dynamic thinkers whose thoughts are as turning-points in the history of our race, it is by Style that writers gain distinction, by Style they secure their immortality.
race individual
The history of the race is but that of the individual "writ large".
race unity intuition
Not only the individual experience slowly acquired, but the accumulated experience of the race, organized in language, condensed in instruments and axioms, and in what may be called the inherited intuitions--these form the multiple unity which is expressed in the abstract term "experience.
exercise past race
Literature is at once the cause and the effect of social progress. It deepens our natural sensibilities, and strengthens by exercise our intellectual capacities. It stores up the accumulated experience of the race, connecting Past and Present into a conscious unity; and with this store it feeds successive generations, to be fed in turn by them.
taste opinion human-nature
Those works alone can have enduring success which successfully appeal to what is permanent in human nature -- which, while suiting the taste of the day, contain truths and beauty deeper than the opinions and tastes of the day.
safe immortality streams
Shakespeare is a good raft whereon to float securely down the stream of time; fasten yourself to that and your immortality is safe.
commonly effective
Sincerity is not only effective and honourable, it is also much less difficult than is commonly supposed.
among familiar men objects ordinary
Ordinary men live among marvels and feel no wonder, grow familiar with objects and learn nothing new about them.
mind
The superiority of one mind over another depends on the rapidity with which experiences are thus organised.
philosophy finals causes
The spontaneous tendency to invoke a Final Cause in explanation of every difficulty is characteristic of metaphysical philosophy. It arises from a general tendency towards the impersonation of abstractions which is visible throughout History.
mean self intellectual
The delusions of self-love cannot be prevented, but intellectual misconceptions as to the means of achieving success may be corrected.
age desire research
The great desire of this age is for a doctrine which may serve to condense our knowledge, guide our researches, and shape our lives, so that conduct may really be the consequence of belief
moral sincerity
Sincerity is moral truth.
speech sincere great-power
In all sincere speech there is power, not necessarily great power, but as much as the speaker is capable of.