117 Famous Quotes by James Russell Lowell
2/22/1819 - 8/12/1891
Also Known As:
Russell James Lowell
Professions:
Information:
About James Russell Lowell
James Russell Lowell was 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.
Lowell graduated from Harvard College in 1838, despite his reputation as a troublemaker, and went on to earn a law degree from Harvard Law School. He published his first collection of poetry in 1841 and married Maria White in 1844. He and his wife had several children, though only one survived past childhood. The couple soon became involved in the movement to abolish slavery, with Lowell using poetry to express his anti-slavery views and taking a job in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the editor of an abolitionist newspaper. After moving back to Cambridge, Lowell was one of the founders of a journal called The Pioneer, which lasted only three issues. He gained notoriety in 1848 with the publication of A Fable for Critics, a book-length poem satirizing contemporary critics and poets. The same year, he published The Biglow Papers, which increased his fame. He went on to publish several other poetry collections and essay collections throughout his literary career.
Of my merit
On that pint you yourself may jedge:
All is, I never drink no sperit,
Nor I haint never signed no pledge.
Temperance
Quotes, by James Russell Lowell , Source: The Biglow Papers (first series, no. VII, st. 9)
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He seemed a cherub who had lost his way
And wandered hither, so his stay
With us was short, and 'twas most meet,
That he should be no delver in earth's clod,
Nor need to pause and cleanse his feet
To stand before his God:
O blest word--Evermore!
Babyhood
Quotes, by James Russell Lowell , Source: Threnodia
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He who esteems the Virginia reel
A bait to draw saints from their spiritual weal,
And regards the quadrille as a far greater knavery
Than crushing His African children with slavery,
Since all who take part in a waltz or cotillon
Are mounted for hell on the devil's own pillion,
Who, as every true orthodox Christian well knows,
Approaches the heart through the door of the toes.
Dancing
Quotes, by James Russell Lowell , Source: Fable for Critics (l. 492)
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In life's small things be resolute and great
To keep thy muscle trained: knowst thou when Fate
Thy measure takes, or when she'll say to thee,
"I find thee worthy; do this deed for me?"
Resolution
Quotes, by James Russell Lowell , Source: Epigram
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"What means this glory round our feet,"
The Magi mused, "more bright than morn!"
And voices chanted clear and sweet,
"To-day the Prince of Peace is born."
Christmas
Quotes, by James Russell Lowell , Source: Christmas Carol
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And what is so rare as a day in June?
Then, if ever, come perfect days;
Then Heaven tries earth if it be in tune,
And over it softly her warm ear lays.
June
Quotes, by James Russell Lowell , Source: The Vision of Sir Launfal
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No price is set on the lavish summer;
June may be had by the poorest comer.
June
Quotes, by James Russell Lowell , Source: The Vision of Sir Launfal (pt. I, prelude)
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Our seasons have no fixed returns,
Without our will they come and go;
At noon our sudden summer burns,
Ere sunset all is snow.
Seasons
Quotes, by James Russell Lowell , Source: To -----
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When I could not sleep for cold
I had fire enough in my brain,
And builded with roofs of gold
My beautiful castles in Spain!
Imagination
Quotes, by James Russell Lowell , Source: Aladdin (st. 1)
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Laborin' man an' laborin' woman
Hev one glory an' one shame;
Ev'ything thet's done inhuman
Injers all on 'em the same.
Humanity
Quotes, by James Russell Lowell , Source: The Biglow Papers (first series, no. 1, st. 10)
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Let us be of good cheer, however, remembering that the
misfortunes hardest to bear are those which never come.
Misfortune
Quotes, by James Russell Lowell , Source: Democracy and Addresses--Democracy
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A beggar through the world am I,
From place to place I wander by.
Fill up my pilgrim's scrip for me,
For Christ's sweet sake and charity.
Beggary
Quotes, by James Russell Lowell , Source: The Beggar
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O wild and wondrous midnight,
There is a might in thee
To make the charmed body
Almost like spirit be,
And give it some faint glimpses
Of immortality.
Midnight
Quotes, by James Russell Lowell , Source: Midnight
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Compromise makes a good umbrella, but a poor roof; it is temporary expedient, often wise in party politics, almost sure to be unwise in statesmanship.
Compromise
Quotes, by James Russell Lowell
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