James Russell Lowell

James Russell Lowell
James Russell Lowellwas an American Romantic poet, critic, editor, and diplomat. He is associated with the Fireside Poets, a group of New England writers who were among the first American poets who rivaled the popularity of British poets. These poets usually used conventional forms and meters in their poetry, making them suitable for families entertaining at their fireside...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionPoet
Date of Birth22 February 1819
CountryUnited States of America
evil next higher
From lower to the higher next, Not to the top, is Nature's text; And embryo Good, to reach full stature, Absorbs the Evil in its nature.
evil sides conflict
Once to every person and nation come the moment to decide. In the conflict of truth with falsehood, for the good or evil side.
spring flower evil
Evil springs up, and flowers, and bears no seed, And feeds the green earth with its swift decay, Leaving it richer for the growth of truth.
evil inward driven
Evil is a far more cunning and persevering propagandist than good, for it has no inward strength, and is driven to seek countenance and sympathy.
education knowledge desire
To educate the intelligence is to expand the horizon of its wants and desires.
brave literature weak
Fortune is the rod of the weak, and the staff of the brave.
form government man
Democracy is the form of government that gives every man the right to be his own oppressor.
feels less lovely man sentiments weigh
Every man feels instinctively that all the beautiful sentiments in the world weigh less than a single lovely action.
democracy man
Democracy give every man the right to be his own oppressor.
faces grows life milestones near road runs strange
As life runs on, the road grows strange with faces new -- and near the end. The milestones into headstones change, Neath every one a friend.
mastered reading whatever worth wound
A reading machine, always wound up and going, he mastered whatever was not worth the knowing.
attribute good skepticism wise
A wise skepticism is the first attribute of a good critic.
god strong dark
Darkness is strong, and so is Sin, But surely God endures forever!
expression giving form
New conditions of life will stimulate thought and give new forms to its expression.