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Jane Welsh Carlyle Quotes

Powerful Jane Welsh Carlyle for Daily Growth

About Jane Welsh Carlyle

Jane Welsh Carlyle (1801-1865) was a British writer and intellectual, renowned for her sharp wit, profound insights, and influential letters. Born on October 16, 1801, in London as Jane Baillie Welsh, she grew up in a comfortable, cultured environment that nurtured her intellect and artistic sensibilities. She was educated at home by tutors, developing an extensive knowledge of literature, history, philosophy, and the arts. In 1826, she married Thomas Carlyle, a renowned Scottish writer and philosopher, who was 23 years her senior. The couple moved to Chelsea, London, and later to Craigenputtock in Scotland, where they lived an intimate, intellectual life marked by intense conversations, vigorous debates, and passionate correspondence. Jane Carlyle's letters, written over more than three decades, are a testament to her sharp intelligence, keen insights, and astute observations on societal issues, literature, and human nature. They offer invaluable insights into the Victorian period and have become an essential source for historians and literary scholars. Despite her husband's towering reputation, Jane Carlyle also made significant contributions as a writer. In 1836, she published 'An Occasional Discourse on Secular and Sacred Art,' where she presented her views on art, religion, and morality. Her book 'Letters and Memorials of Jane Welsh Carlyle' (1887) was posthumously edited by her son, and it remains a vital source for understanding the life and mind of this remarkable woman. Jane Welsh Carlyle's legacy transcends the Victorian era. Her letters continue to captivate readers, and her sharp intellect and incisive wit serve as an inspiration for women writers worldwide. She passed away on April 6, 1865, leaving behind a rich body of work that continues to resonate today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"A woman needs not only the love of a man but she needs his friendship and partnership."

This quote by Jane Welsh Carlyle emphasizes the importance of emotional connection, companionship, and partnership in a relationship beyond just romantic love between a man and a woman. It underscores the idea that a fulfilling relationship requires mutual understanding, friendship, and collaboration – qualities essential for a deep, lasting bond.

"Happiness is nowhere more sensibly enjoyed than in a quiet corner with a good book."

This quote by Jane Welsh Carlyle suggests that true happiness can be found in solitude, specifically when one is engrossed in a good book. It underscores the value of reading as a means to find peace, enjoyment, and personal growth, all within the quiet confines of one's own space. The simplicity and quietude provide an opportunity for deep reflection and immersion into the world presented by the book, creating a unique form of happiness that transcends external circumstances.

"Everybody should have a certain amount of mind, if for no other purpose than to give the body sensations."

This quote by Jane Welsh Carlyle emphasizes the importance of having an intelligent mind as more than just a tool for intellectual pursuits; it also enhances our physical experiences. In essence, she suggests that one's mental capacity allows them to feel and perceive their surroundings more deeply, making everyday sensations richer and more meaningful.

"The secret of happiness lies in honoring the present moment."

Jane Welsh Carlyle's quote suggests that finding true happiness requires a focus on the current moment, rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. By embracing and appreciating what is happening now, we can find contentment and fulfillment in our lives. This mindset encourages us to live in the present, find joy in small moments, and cultivate gratitude for our experiences.

"A little philosophy inclineth man's mind to atheism, but depth in philosophy bringeth men's minds about to religion."

This quote suggests that a superficial understanding or dabbling in philosophy might lead one towards atheism (disbelief in the existence of God). However, as one delves deeper into philosophy, the complexities and mysteries it uncovers may ultimately bring the individual back to a more profound appreciation of religion and spirituality. In essence, this quote underscores the transformative power of philosophy: while initial exposure might challenge religious beliefs, a deep dive into philosophy can lead to a stronger faith or newfound spiritual understanding.

I declare I would rather be a kitten and cry, 'Mew!' than live as I see many of my female acquaintances do, tearing each other's characters to pieces, and wearing out their lives in vanity and vexation of spirit.

- Jane Welsh Carlyle

Other, Rather, Declare, Cry

If I have an antipathy for any class of people, it is for fine ladies. I almost match my Husband's detestation of partridge-shooting gentlemen.

- Jane Welsh Carlyle

Husband, Match, Almost, Antipathy

Young children are such nasty little beasts!

- Jane Welsh Carlyle

Young, Young Children, Nasty

Indeed, I should be very stupid or very thankless if I did not congratulate myself every hour of the day on the lot which it has pleased Providence to assign me. My Husband is so kind! So, in all respects, after my own heart!

- Jane Welsh Carlyle

Stupid, Own, Very, Thankless

I have lived so long among people who do not understand me, been so long accustomed to refrain and disguise myself for fear of being laughed at, that I have grown as difficult to come at as a snail in a shell; and what is worse, I cannot come out of my shell when I wish it.

- Jane Welsh Carlyle

Long, Snail, Been, Refrain

Men may be rivals, opponents in their fortunes, and yet be friends in their hearts and fair towards each other's worth; but woman, the instant she is rivaled, becomes unjust.

- Jane Welsh Carlyle

Woman, Other, Unjust, Fortunes

But what are friends? What is a husband, even, compared with one's Mother? Of her love, one is always so sure! It is the only love that nothing - not even misconduct on our part - can take away from us.

- Jane Welsh Carlyle

Love, Always, Sure, Misconduct

Never does one feel oneself so utterly helpless as in trying to speak comfort for great bereavement. I will not try it. Time is the only comforter for the loss of a mother.

- Jane Welsh Carlyle

Will, Feel, Bereavement, Helpless

'On earth the living have much to bear;' the difference is chiefly in the manner of bearing, and my manner of bearing is far from being the best.

- Jane Welsh Carlyle

Living, Bearing, Chiefly, Being The Best

I rely on the promise, 'God is kind to women, fools, and drunk people.'

- Jane Welsh Carlyle

Kind, Drunk, Rely, Fools

They call me 'sweet,' and 'gentle'; and some of the men go the length of calling me 'endearing,' and I laugh in my sleeve and think, 'Oh, Lord! If you but knew what a brimstone of a creature I am behind all this beautiful amiability!'

- Jane Welsh Carlyle

Behind, Some, Lord, Endearing

It is odd what notions men seem to have of the scantiness of a woman's resources. They do not find it anything out of nature that they should be able to exist by themselves; but a woman must always be borne about on somebody's shoulders, and dandled or chirped to, or it is supposed she will fall into the blackest melancholy!

- Jane Welsh Carlyle

Woman, Shoulders, About, Melancholy

Homeopathy - an invention of the Father of Lies! I have tried it and found it wanting. I would swallow their whole doles' medicine chest for sixpence, and be sure of finding myself neither better nor worse for it.

- Jane Welsh Carlyle

Wanting, Swallow, Chest, Invention

How many precious things do we not already possess which others have not - have hardly an idea of! Let us enjoy these, then, and bless God that we are permitted to enjoy them, rather than importune His goodness with vain longings for more.

- Jane Welsh Carlyle

Enjoy, Idea, Rather, Hardly

A fashionable wife! Oh! Never will I be anything so heartless! I have pictured for myself a far higher destiny than this. - Will it ever be more than a picture?

- Jane Welsh Carlyle

Destiny, Will, Heartless, Fashionable

I wonder that among all the evils deprecated in the Liturgy, no one thought of inserting flitting. Is there any worse thing? Oh no, no!

- Jane Welsh Carlyle

Thought, Liturgy, Flitting, I Wonder

Who knows but I shall grow reasonable at last, descend from my ideal heaven to the real earth, marry, and - Oh Plato! - make a pudding?

- Jane Welsh Carlyle

Grow, Ideal, Descend, Pudding

Teaching, I find, is not the most amusing thing on earth; in fact, with a stupid lump for a Pupil, it is about the most irksome.

- Jane Welsh Carlyle

Stupid, Fact, About, Pupil

The glittering baits of titles and honours are only for children and fools.

- Jane Welsh Carlyle

Children, Only, Glittering, Fools

Does not a man physically tremble under the mere look of a wild beast or fellow-man that is stronger than himself? Does not a woman redden all over when she feels her lover's eyes on her? How then should one doubt the mysterious power of one individual over another?

- Jane Welsh Carlyle

Woman, Another, Feels, Tremble

The surest way to get a thing in this life is to be prepared for doing without it, to the exclusion even of hope.

- Jane Welsh Carlyle

Doing, Prepared, Exclusion, Surest Way

It is much to be wished that one had a post that knew what it was doing again; and lawmakers that knew what they were doing. If I were the Government, I should feel rather ashamed of making regulations one month and unmaking them the next.

- Jane Welsh Carlyle

Doing, Next, Ashamed, Regulations

I do think there is much truth in the Young German idea that marriage is a shockingly immoral institution, as well as what we have long known it for - an extremely disagreeable one.

- Jane Welsh Carlyle

Think, Young, German, Institution

Use the noble gifts which God has given you!

- Jane Welsh Carlyle

Use, Which, Given, Gifts

One of the main uses of a home is to stay in it, when one is too weak and spiritless for conforming, without effort, to the ways of other houses.

- Jane Welsh Carlyle

Effort, Other, Main, Uses

Either I am just what God intended me for, or God cannot 'carry out' His intentions, it would seem.

- Jane Welsh Carlyle

Out, Seem, Am, Intentions

One feels as if it could never, never be less. And yet all griefs, when there is no bitterness in them, are soothed down by time.

- Jane Welsh Carlyle

Could, Feels, Them, Bitterness

There is nothing like a good bit of pain for taking the conceit out of one.

- Jane Welsh Carlyle

Pain, Nothing, Like, Conceit

There is never much to be feared for anyone that is born with sense and truth in him, whatever else he may have or want.

- Jane Welsh Carlyle

Born, Want, May, Feared

Time is the only comforter for the loss of a mother.

- Jane Welsh Carlyle

Mother, Only, Comforter, Loss

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