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Gilbert Highet Quotes

Powerful Gilbert Highet for Daily Growth

About Gilbert Highet

Gilbert Murray Highet (1895-1978) was an influential American classical scholar and literary critic, renowned for his comprehensive studies on world literature and its history. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on January 26, 1895, he showed early promise as a student, earning a scholarship to study classics at the University of Pennsylvania. Inspired by the works of ancient authors like Homer, Virgil, and Ovid, Highet's love for classical literature grew during his undergraduate years. He continued his studies at Lincoln College, Oxford, where he would later earn a doctorate in 1920. There, he came under the tutelage of renowned classicists like Gilbert Murray and J.H. McArthur Lecturer A.E. Housman. Highet's most celebrated work, "The Classical Tradition: Greece and Rome in Western Literature" (1949), remains a seminal text in the field of comparative literature. In this magnum opus, Highet traced the influence of classical Greek and Roman thought on Western literature throughout history. In 1930, Highet joined the faculty at New York University, where he would remain until his retirement in 1965. During this time, he was instrumental in shaping the Department of Classics into one of the leading institutions for classical studies in America. Throughout his life, Highet's work bridged the gap between classical literature and contemporary thought, encouraging readers to appreciate the timeless wisdom found in ancient texts. His other major works include "Aristophanes and Athens" (1936) and "The Art of Poetry" (1957). Gilbert Highet passed away on September 24, 1978, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the field of classical studies. His works continue to inspire scholars and readers alike, providing invaluable insights into the enduring influence of classical literature on Western culture.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The greatest thing a human soul ever does in this world is to see something and tell what it saw in a flame of language."

This quote by Gilbert Highet emphasizes the profound impact of communication, specifically through language, on human experience. He suggests that one's greatest accomplishment is not merely observing something extraordinary but rather sharing that observation in an illuminating manner, as if igniting a flame with words. It underscores the power of storytelling and eloquence in capturing truth, beauty, or wisdom and conveying it to others, thereby enriching human understanding and connection.

"To be a man means to face reality as it is, not as it might have been or as we should like it to be."

This quote suggests that being a man, or more broadly, being an adult, involves acknowledging and dealing with the world as it actually is, rather than idealizing or wishing for it to be different. It encourages us to confront and adapt to our circumstances truthfully, promoting personal growth, resilience, and a deeper understanding of reality.

"The purpose of literature is to reflect the spirit of the age, to interpret it to itself, and to give it food for thought."

This quote by Gilbert Highet emphasizes that literature serves a significant societal role in capturing, interpreting, and mirroring the zeitgeist (spirit) of an era. It also suggests that literature should provoke intellectual discourse and stimulate thought within society, enabling it to better understand itself and grow. Thus, literature functions as both a cultural mirror and a catalyst for contemplation and growth in the context of its time.

"We all stand on the shoulders of giants, we see more and farther than they did not because our eyes have grown stronger but because they have gone before us."

This quote highlights the principle of building upon the knowledge and achievements of those who came before us, metaphorically standing on their "shoulders" to see further. It suggests that human progress is a cumulative process, where each generation learns from the previous one, advancing society as a whole. The quote emphasizes not only the growth of individual understanding but also the collective expansion of knowledge and wisdom throughout history.

"The history of the world is the biography of great men."

The quote "The history of the world is the biography of great men" suggests that the actions, accomplishments, and personalities of influential individuals have significantly shaped the course of human events throughout history. This perspective emphasizes the role of individual agency in shaping history, implying that key figures' contributions to society and civilization are crucial to understanding historical development. However, it's important to note that this perspective may not fully capture the complexities and interconnectedness of societal and cultural factors that contribute to historical change. In other words, while great men have played a significant role in shaping history, it is essential to consider their context and the larger social, economic, and political forces that influenced their actions and decisions.

The real duty of man is not to extend his power or multiply his wealth beyond his needs, but to enrich and enjoy his imperishable possession: his soul.

- Gilbert Highet

Soul, Wealth, Needs, Extend

Many people have played themselves to death. Many people have eaten and drunk themselves to death. Nobody ever thought himself to death.

- Gilbert Highet

Drunk, Himself, Ever, Eaten

These are not books, lumps of lifeless paper, but minds alive on the shelves.

- Gilbert Highet

Minds, Paper, Books, Shelves

A good teacher is a determined person.

- Gilbert Highet

Teacher, Person, Determined, Good Teacher

Language is a living thing. We can feel it changing. Parts of it become old: they drop off and are forgotten. New pieces bud out, spread into leaves, and become big branches, proliferating.

- Gilbert Highet

New, Big, Drop, Branches

The relation between parents and children is essentially based on teaching.

- Gilbert Highet

Children, Parenting, Based, Between

What is politics but persuading the public to vote for this and support that and endure these for the promise of those?

- Gilbert Highet

Politics, Promise, Public, Persuading

A teacher must believe in the value and interest of his subject as a doctor believes in health.

- Gilbert Highet

Teacher, His, Believes, Doctor

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