Quotes By George Henry Lewes

In all sincere speech there is power, not necessarily great power, but as much as the speaker is capable of.

The delusions of self-love cannot be prevented, but intellectual misconceptions as to the means of achieving success may be corrected.

The object of Literature is to instruct, to animate, or to amuse.

Many a genius has been slow of growth. Oaks that flourish for a thousand years do not spring up into beauty like a reed.

Good writers are of necessity rare.

In complex trains of thought signs are indispensable.

Philosophy and Art both render the invisible visible by imagination.

All great authors are seers.

The only cure for grief is action.

If you feel yourself to be above the mass, speak so as to raise the mass to the height of your argument.

Insincerity is always weakness; sincerity even in error is strength.

All bad Literature rests upon imperfect insight, or upon imitation, which may be defined as seeing at second-hand.

Sincerity is not only effective and honourable, it is also much less difficult than is commonly supposed.

We must never assume that which is incapable of proof.

Endeavour to be faithful, and if there is any beauty in your thought, your style will be beautiful; if there is any real emotion to express, the expression will be moving.

A man may be variously accomplished, and yet be a feeble poet.

Books minister to our knowledge, to our guidance, and to our delight, by their truth, their uprightness, and their art.

The true function of philosophy is to educate us in the principles of reasoning and not to put an end to further reasoning by the introduction of fixed conclusions.

Originality is independence, not rebellion; it is sincerity, not antagonism.

Science is not addressed to poets.

Insight is the first condition of Art.

It is unhappily true that much insincere Literature and Art, executed solely with a view to effect, does succeed by deceiving the public.

Literature delivers tidings of the world within and the world without.

Murder, like talent, seems occasionally to run in families.

Genius is rarely able to give any account of its own processes.

Personal experience is the basis of all real Literature.

Books have become our dearest companions, yielding exquisite delights and inspiring lofty aims.

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.

Sincerity is moral truth.

Literature is at once the cause and the effect of social progress.