James Russell Lowell Quotes

I have always been of the mind that in a democracy manners are the only effective weapons against the bowie-knife.

What men prize most is a privilege, even if it be that of chief mourner at a funeral.

It is mediocrity which makes laws and sets mantraps and spring-guns in the realm of free song, saying thus far shalt thou go and no further.

Freedom is the only law which genius knows.

Books are the bees which carry the quickening pollen from one to another mind.

The mind can weave itself warmly in the cocoon of its own thoughts, and dwell a hermit anywhere.

Let us be of good cheer, however, remembering that the misfortunes hardest to bear are those which never come.

Compromise makes a good umbrella but a poor roof.

Every man feels instinctively that all the beautiful sentiments in the world weigh less than a single lovely action.