"By and large the literature of a democracy will never exhibit the order, regularity, skill, and art characteristic of aristocratic literature; formal qualities will be neglected or actually despised. The style will often be strange, incorrect, overburdened, and loose, and almost always strong and bold. Writers will be more anxious to work quickly than to perfect details. Short works will be commoner than long books, wit than erudition, imagination than depth. There will be a rude and untutored vigor of thought with great variety and singular fecundity. Authors will strive to astonish more than to please, and to stir passions rather than to charm taste."
Add Category or Author
"Not only does democracy make every man forget his ancestors, but also clouds their view of their descendants and isolates them from their contemporaries. Each man is for ever thrown back on himself alone, and there is danger that he may be shut up in the solitude of his own heart."
Add Category or Author
"I have no hesitation in saying that although the American woman never leaves her domestic sphere and is in some respects very dependent within it, nowhere does she enjoy a higher station. And if anyone asks me what I think the chief cause of the extraordinary prosperity and growing power of this nation, I should answer that it is due to the superiority of their women."
Add Category or Author
"When an opinion has taken root in a democracy and established itself in the minds of the majority, if afterward persists by itself, needing no effort to maintain it since no one attacks it. Those who at first rejected it as false come in the end to adopt it as accepted, and even those who still at the bottom of their hearts oppose it keep their views to themselves, taking great care to avoid a dangerous and futile contest."
Add Category or Author
"In democratic ages men rarely sacrifice themselves for another, but they show a general compassion for all the human race. One never sees them inflict pointless suffering, and they are glad to relieve the sorrows of others when they can do so without much trouble to themselves. They are not disinterested, but they are gentle."
Add Category or Author
Known for his biting wit and love of dressing flamboyantly, Oscar Wilde was a noted playwright in his time, penning a series of social satires, including The Importance of Being Earnest, An Ideal Husband and A Woman of No Importance. Imprisoned because of his sexual advances toward the Marquis of Queensbury, he wrote De Profundis, which was a thinly veiled address to his accuser. The trial and prison term ruined him. He spent much of the rest of his life living in cheap hotels or staying with friends throughout Europe and died penniless in 1900. His only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gr…
Over 2,000,000 quotes and growing!
Famous Quotes organized by author or category for your pleasure and convenience. We now have over two million famous quotes and Movie Quotes, which is, by far, the largest collection of Famous Quotes on the Web. We have also selectively chosen a large collection of Inspirational Quotes, Quotes about Life, Motivational Quotes, Friendship Quotes, Graduation Quotesand and Funny Quotes to help motivate and brighten your day. Many of our more popular author webpages include: Marilyn Monroe Quotes, Bob Marley Quotes, Albert Einstein Quotes, Abraham Lincoln Quotes & Winston Churchill Quotes. We hope you enjoy your time with us! Please contact us if you have any suggestions for improving our site. Now over 750,000 Movie Quotes & TV Quotes.Copyright © 2002-2013 Great Quotes.com
Comment as Guest