ByQuotes

James Russell Lowell Quotes

Powerful James Russell Lowell for Daily Growth

About James Russell Lowell

James Russell Lowell (February 22, 1819 – August 12, 1891) was an influential American poet, critic, editor, and diplomat during the 19th century. Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Lowell's passion for literature blossomed early, with his family's extensive library playing a significant role in shaping his intellectual growth. Lowell attended Harvard College from 1835 to 1838, but left without graduating due to academic difficulties and a desire to pursue writing full-time. His first published work, "The Bigelows" (1840), garnered immediate acclaim for its vivid imagery and poetic style. Influenced by the Transcendentalist movement, particularly Ralph Waldo Emerson, Lowell's work reflected a deep concern for social justice and political reform. His collection of poems "A Fable for Critics" (1848) satirized literary critics, while his longer narrative poem "The Biglow Papers" (1848–1867) criticized the politics of the time, earning Lowell a reputation as an incisive social commentator. Lowell's career took a dramatic turn when he was appointed editor of The Atlantic Monthly in 1857. Under his leadership, the magazine became one of America's leading literary journals, publishing works by notable authors like Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville, and Emily Dickinson. In 1877, Lowell was appointed U.S. Minister to England where he served until 1880. His diplomatic career did not deter him from his literary pursuits; during this period, he published "Odds and Ends" (1881), a collection of essays and poems that showcased his keen wit and insight. Upon returning to the United States, Lowell continued to write and edit until his death in 1891. His body of work, characterized by its moral depth and social conscience, cemented his legacy as one of America's most important poets and literary critics of the 19th century.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Every man is a dam. In time the waters find their levels."

This quote by James Russell Lowell suggests that every individual has a unique character or set of traits (symbolized as a "dam") which, over time, will eventually reveal their inherent nature or true self (the "water level"). In other words, no matter who we are or where we come from, our authentic selves will ultimately manifest. It encourages the idea that given enough time and space, everyone will find their natural place or role in life.

"Those only are free of whom no fear can touch."

The quote by James Russell Lowell suggests that true freedom is experienced by those who are unaffected by fear. This implies an individual who lives without apprehension, anxiety, or dread, as they have the inner strength and courage to face any challenge life presents. Such a person embodies self-assurance, resilience, and an unwavering spirit that is impervious to external intimidation. They are not only free from the physical constraints of bondage but also liberated from the mental shackles of fear, thereby achieving true independence.

"Truth forgives long detention, and long suffering."

This quote by James Russell Lowell suggests that truth has a way of prevailing over time, even if it takes a long time for its revelation or acceptance. It also implies that those who suffer in pursuit of the truth, endure, and remain patient will ultimately be vindicated. In other words, truth's power to forgive extended periods of delay or hardship lies in its eventual triumph over falsehood.

"Art is long, life is short; opportunity is few."

This quote by James Russell Lowell emphasizes the transient nature of human life in relation to artistic expression. Essentially, it suggests that there is a vast ocean of creative potential (art), but our lives are short-lived vessels navigating through this expanse (life). Moreover, opportunities to create and grow artistically are scarce, making the pursuit of art a significant endeavor that demands thoughtful consideration and dedication.

"Nature is a haunted house - but Art is a house that tries to be haunted."

This quote by James Russell Lowell suggests that Nature, in its raw and untouched form, has an inherent mystery and beauty that feels eerie or otherworldly – like a haunted house. On the other hand, Art is seen as an attempt to capture, mimic, or evoke those same feelings of mystery and wonder found in nature, thus making it "a house that tries to be haunted." In essence, Lowell's quote emphasizes the power of art to convey emotions and create a sense of enchantment by drawing inspiration from the natural world.

There is no good in arguing with the inevitable. The only argument available with an east wind is to put on your overcoat.

- James Russell Lowell

East, Inevitable, Overcoat, Argument

All the beautiful sentiments in the world weigh less than a single lovely action.

- James Russell Lowell

Romantic, Single, Weigh, Sentiments

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.

- James Russell Lowell

Politics, Roof, Temporary, Umbrella

Each day the world is born anew for him who takes it rightly.

- James Russell Lowell

World, Born, Rightly, Anew

He who is firmly seated in authority soon learns to think security, and not progress, the highest lesson in statecraft.

- James Russell Lowell

Think, Firmly, Learns, Seated

There is nothing so desperately monotonous as the sea, and I no longer wonder at the cruelty of pirates.

- James Russell Lowell

Cruelty, Longer, Monotonous, Pirates

Democracy is the form of government that gives every man the right to be his own oppressor.

- James Russell Lowell

Government, His, Form, Oppressor

Democracy gives every man the right to be his own oppressor.

- James Russell Lowell

Government, Own, His, Oppressor

Books are the bees which carry the quickening pollen from one to another mind.

- James Russell Lowell

Mind, Books, Which, Quickening

And what is so rare as a day in June? Then, if ever, come perfect days.

- James Russell Lowell

Perfect, Rare, Ever, June

Let us be of good cheer, however, remembering that the misfortunes hardest to bear are those which never come.

- James Russell Lowell

Misfortunes, However, Which, Good Cheer

One thorn of experience is worth a whole wilderness of warning.

- James Russell Lowell

Experience, Wilderness, Thorn

The only faith that wears well and holds its color in all weathers is that which is woven of conviction and set with the sharp mordant of experience.

- James Russell Lowell

Faith, Set, Which, Sharp

A weed is no more than a flower in disguise, Which is seen through at once, if love give a man eyes.

- James Russell Lowell

Love, Through, Which, Weed

Greatly begin. Though thou have time, but for a line, be that sublime. Not failure, but low aim is crime.

- James Russell Lowell

Aim, Low, Though, Thou

True scholarship consists in knowing not what things exist, but what they mean; it is not memory but judgment.

- James Russell Lowell

Memory, Knowing, Exist, Scholarship

Solitude is as needful to the imagination as society is wholesome for the character.

- James Russell Lowell

Society, Imagination, Solitude

As life runs on, the road grows strange with faces new - and near the end. The milestones into headstones change, Neath every one a friend.

- James Russell Lowell

Change, New, Grows, Runs

Good luck is the willing handmaid of a upright and energetic character, and conscientious observance of duty.

- James Russell Lowell

Energetic, Handmaid, Conscientious

In creating, the only hard thing is to begin: a grass blade's no easier to make than an oak.

- James Russell Lowell

Grass, Than, Hard Thing, Oak

Who's not sat tense before his own heart's curtain.

- James Russell Lowell

Before, His, Sat, Curtain

Reputation is only a candle, of wavering and uncertain flame, and easily blown out, but it is the light by which the world looks for and finds merit.

- James Russell Lowell

Reputation, Which, Wavering, Uncertain

Where one person shapes their life by precept and example, there are a thousand who have shaped it by impulse and circumstances.

- James Russell Lowell

Life, Circumstances, Shaped, Impulse

I have always been of the mind that in a democracy manners are the only effective weapons against the bowie-knife.

- James Russell Lowell

Mind, Always, Effective, Weapons

It is by presence of mind in untried emergencies that the native metal of man is tested.

- James Russell Lowell

Mind, Tested, Native, Emergencies

The heart forgets its sorrow and ache.

- James Russell Lowell

Heart, Sympathy, Sorrow, Forgets

To educate the intelligence is to expand the horizon of its wants and desires.

- James Russell Lowell

Horizon, Desires, Expand, Educate

Endurance is the crowning quality, And patience all the passion of great hearts.

- James Russell Lowell

Patience, Endurance, Hearts, Crowning

Once to every person and nation come the moment to decide. In the conflict of truth with falsehood, for the good or evil side.

- James Russell Lowell

Nation, Come, Side, Conflict

Joy comes, grief goes, we know not how.

- James Russell Lowell

Moving On, Joy, How, Grief

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.