Goldwin Smith Quotes

Powerful Goldwin Smith for Daily Growth

About Goldwin Smith

Goldwin Smith (1823-1910), a prominent Canadian-born historian, was born on June 7, 1823, in Kingston, Upper Canada (now Ontario). Raised by his grandmother after the untimely death of both parents, he received a strong education at the local grammar school. Smith's early life was marked by a deep love for classical literature and history, which influenced his future academic pursuits. In 1842, he moved to London, England, to study at University College, where he excelled in Greek and Roman studies. He later received his Master of Arts degree from Oxford University in 1847. Upon returning to Canada in 1850, Smith was appointed as a professor of classical literature at Queen's College (now Queen's University). During his tenure, he advocated for Canadian autonomy and helped establish the first English-language daily newspaper in Canada, The Kingston Chronicle. In 1870, Smith left Canada for England, where he resumed his academic career at Oxford. His major works, "The United States of Europe" (1863) and "Liberty, Its Meaning and its Modern Bearers" (1869), reflected his views on European politics and the role of liberalism in shaping modern societies. Smith's most significant work, however, was "The American Colonies in the 17th Century: A Constitutional Study" (1854). This groundbreaking study explored the origins of the American Constitution and solidified Smith's reputation as a preeminent historian. Goldwin Smith died on April 26, 1910, in Oxford, England, leaving behind an enduring legacy as one of Canada's most influential historians and intellectual figures. His works continue to be studied today for their insightful analyses of political systems and the importance of liberal ideals.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"There is no greater error than to expect or calculate upon permanency in relative positions."

The quote implies that it's a mistake to assume or predict stability in relationships, power dynamics, or any other variables that are inherently relative, such as political alliances, social hierarchies, or economic statuses. Relative positions can change over time due to various factors like personal growth, societal shifts, or external events, making it essential to adapt and adjust accordingly.

"The love of liberty is the love of independence; and it is independence, not peace, that the multitude delight in."

Goldwin Smith's quote suggests that people's passion for freedom is rooted in their desire for independence rather than peace. He indicates that the masses derive joy not from the absence of conflict or harmony, but from autonomy, self-rule, and self-determination. This insight underscores the importance of liberty as a fundamental human value that transcends the pursuit of mere tranquility in society.

"Truth does not become more evident from the multitude calling it theirs."

Goldwin Smith's quote emphasizes that the popularity or widespread acceptance of an idea does not necessarily make it true. In other words, even if many people believe in something, it doesn't automatically validate its authenticity or truthfulness. The onus is still on evidence, facts, and rational thought to support its accuracy. This quote encourages critical thinking and reminds us that we should not blindly follow the majority's beliefs without questioning their validity.

"A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have a spirit tempered to defense of themselves and of each other."

This quote by Goldwin Smith suggests that a free society is responsible for maintaining both physical readiness (through armament and discipline) and an inherent mindset (a spirit of self-defense and mutual protection). It implies that the preservation of freedom requires not only the ability to defend oneself, but also a collective commitment to protect fellow citizens from harm or oppression. In essence, it's a call for both personal preparedness and communal solidarity in the pursuit of liberty.

"The love of power is the root of all ambition; the root of all vice."

Goldwin Smith's quote suggests that the pursuit of power, whether in personal or political contexts, often lies at the heart of human ambition. This desire for power can lead to various forms of immoral or unethical behavior as individuals seek to exert control over others or accumulate resources beyond what is necessary or fair. Essentially, Smith's quote implies that the love for power can corrupt, leading to vice and undesirable outcomes in society.

The materials of the novelist must be real; they must be gathered from the field of humanity by his actual observation.

- Goldwin Smith

Field, Actual, His, Materials

The novelist must look on humanity without partiality or prejudice. His sympathy, like that of the historian, must be unbounded, and untainted by sect or party.

- Goldwin Smith

Look, Like, Historian, Novelist

The natural barriers between England and Scotland were not sufficient to prevent the extension of the Saxon settlements and kingdoms across the border.

- Goldwin Smith

England, Border, Settlements, Kingdoms

I heard Thackeray thank Heaven for the purity of Dickens. I thanked Heaven for the purity of a greater than Dickens - Thackeray himself.

- Goldwin Smith

Purity, Himself, Than, Dickens

The insular arrogance of the English character is a commonplace joke.

- Goldwin Smith

Character, Arrogance, Insular

Dante himself is open to the suspicion of partiality: it is said, not without apparent ground, that he puts into hell all the enemies of the political cause, which, in his eyes, was that of Italy and God.

- Goldwin Smith

Political, Suspicion, Which, Apparent

We must also be permitted to bear in mind that evolution, though it may explain everything else, cannot explain itself.

- Goldwin Smith

Mind, Explain, Though, Permitted

There are the manufacturing multitudes of England; they must have work, and find markets for their work; if machines and the Black Country are ugly, famine would be uglier still.

- Goldwin Smith

England, Country, Still, Uglier

America is supposed to be given over to ugliness. There are a good many ugly things there and the ugliest are the most pretentious.

- Goldwin Smith

Over, Given, Ugliest, Pretentious

The Roman legions were formed in the first instance of citizen soldiers, who yet had been made to submit to a rigid discipline, and to feel that in that submission lay their strength.

- Goldwin Smith

Citizen, Been, Instance, Formed

But if anyone supposes that there was no commercial fraud in the Middle Ages, let him study the commercial legislation of England for that period, and his mind will be satisfied, if he has a mind to be satisfied and not only a fancy to run away with him.

- Goldwin Smith

Mind, England, Commercial, Legislation

Who can doubt that between the English and the French, between the Scotch and the Irish, there are differences of character which have profoundly affected and still affect the course of history?

- Goldwin Smith

Still, Which, Profoundly, French

It is evident that in the period designated as that of the kings, when Rome commenced her career of conquest, she was, for that time and country, a great and wealthy city.

- Goldwin Smith

Rome, Country, Period, Evident

Yet for my part, deeply as I am moved by the religious architecture of the Middle Ages, I cannot honestly say that I ever felt the slightest emotion in any modern Gothic church.

- Goldwin Smith

Middle, Religious, Gothic, Slightest

It is needless to say how great has been the influence of the doctrine of Evolution, or rather perhaps of the method of investigation to which it has given birth, upon the study of history, especially the history of institutions.

- Goldwin Smith

Been, Which, Given, Doctrine

Every one who has a heart, however ignorant of architecture he may be, feels the transcendent beauty and poetry of the mediaeval churches.

- Goldwin Smith

May, However, Feels, Transcendent

Personality is lower than partiality.

- Goldwin Smith

Personality, Than, Lower, Partiality

The novelist must ground his work in faithful study of human nature.

- Goldwin Smith

Nature, Study, His, Human Nature

There is a spell in mediaeval Art which has had power to bewitch some people into trying, or wishing to try, or fancying that they wish to try or making believe to fancy that they wish to try, to bring back the Middle Ages.

- Goldwin Smith

Some, Which, Spell, Wishing

If it were a real effort to live in the Middle Ages, your life would be one perpetual prevarication.

- Goldwin Smith

Effort, Real, Middle, Middle Ages

No student of history can fail to see the moral interest of the Middle Ages, any more than an artist can fail to see their aesthetic interest.

- Goldwin Smith

Student, Aesthetic, Middle, Middle Ages

As to London we must console ourselves with the thought that if life outside is less poetic than it was in the days of old, inwardly its poetry is much deeper.

- Goldwin Smith

London, Console, Poetic, Deeper

Never had there been such an attempt to make conquest the servant of civilization. About keeping India there is no question. England has a real duty there.

- Goldwin Smith

England, Been, No Question, Conquest

Whatever things may have been in their origin, they are what they are, both in themselves and in regard to their indications respecting other beings or influences the existence of which may be implied in theirs.

- Goldwin Smith

Other, Been, Which, Influences

Rome was great in arms, in government, in law.

- Goldwin Smith

Government, Law, Rome, Arms

Above all nations is humanity.

- Goldwin Smith

Humanity, Nations, Above, All Nations

The Romans, we are told, were by nature a peculiarly warlike race.

- Goldwin Smith

Nature, Race, Were, Romans

That Rome was comparatively great and wealthy is certain.

- Goldwin Smith

Great, Rome, Comparatively, Wealthy

Art is expression, and to have high expression you must have something high to express.

- Goldwin Smith

Art, High, Must, Expression

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