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
gold firsts trophies
There comes Emerson first, whose rich words, every one, Are like gold nails in temples to hang trophies on.
devil gold cost
At the devil's booth are all things sold. Each ounce of dross costs its ounce of gold.
giving gold duty
He gives only the worthless gold who gives from a sense of duty.
gold wealth virtue
Old gold has a civilizing virtue which new gold must grow old to be capable of secreting.
weather gold lace
God's livery is a very plain one; but its wearers have good reason to be content. If it have not so much gold-lace about it as Satan's, it keeps out foul weather better, and is besides a great deal cheaper.
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!