John Buchanan Robinson Quotes

Powerful John Buchanan Robinson for Daily Growth

About John Buchanan Robinson

John Buchanan Robinson (July 19, 1886 - August 30, 1958) was a prominent American literary scholar, critic, and poet, best known for his work on Shakespeare and medieval literature. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Robinson grew up in a family that valued education and intellectual pursuits. He attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, before studying at Harvard University, where he graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in 1908. During his time at Harvard, he was heavily influenced by the work of renowned Shakespeare scholar, George Lyman Kittredge. After graduation, Robinson continued his studies at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar from 1908 to 1911. It was during this time that he developed a deep interest in medieval literature and started working on his first book, "The Place of Thomas Malory in English Literature" (1913). Robinson returned to the United States and taught at various institutions including Smith College, Harvard University, and Wellesley College. In 1924, he joined the faculty at Princeton University, where he would spend the rest of his career. One of Robinson's most significant contributions to literature is "The Shakesperian Comedies" (1947), a groundbreaking study that redefined how scholars approach the genre. He also published several volumes of poetry and translations, including "Selections from the Poems of Guido Cavalcanti" (1920) and "The Vision of Piers Plowman" (1950). Throughout his life, Robinson remained an influential figure in academic circles. His work continues to be widely read and studied today, making him a lasting legacy in the field of literature.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will."

This quote emphasizes that inner strength is derived not solely from physical power, but primarily from an unyielding spirit or willpower. In other words, the true source of one's resilience lies in their determination and mental fortitude rather than just raw physical ability. This perspective underscores the importance of mental toughness as a crucial element in overcoming challenges and achieving success in life.


"Champions keep playing until they get it right."

This quote suggests that champions, those who excel in their respective fields, are relentless in their pursuit of success. They persist, refusing to give up until they achieve their goal or master a skill. It underscores the importance of resilience, determination, and perseverance in overcoming challenges and improving oneself.


"The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will."

This quote suggests that success primarily hinges on one's determination or willpower, rather than their physical abilities or intellectual knowledge. In other words, a person who is successful has the persistence and resilience to carry out their goals despite obstacles, rather than giving up when faced with challenges. It emphasizes the importance of mental fortitude in achieving success.


"You learn more about yourself in the forcing house of adversity than any other way."

This quote suggests that one gains significant self-knowledge and understanding during challenging or difficult times, also known as adversities. The "forcing house" metaphor implies a controlled environment where growth occurs under pressure. Adversity acts as this pressure for personal growth, enabling individuals to learn more about their true character, strengths, weaknesses, resilience, and coping mechanisms. This insight can lead to self-improvement and personal development.


"Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going."

This quote suggests that initial motivation (what gets us started) is crucial to initiate actions or pursue goals, while habit (what keeps us going) is essential for maintaining consistency and persistence in our pursuits over the long term. In other words, motivation provides the spark to begin something new, but developing habits ensures continued progress towards achieving our objectives.


But egoism is more than this. It is the realization by the individual that he is above all institutions and all formulas; that they exist only so far as he chooses to make them his own by accepting them.

- John Buchanan Robinson

More, Individual, Formulas, Institutions

It was the king's army, the king's people, the king's taxes; and he who questioned the propriety of the royal prerogative of taking from his people without return or accounting, was reckoned, and felt himself to be, a criminal, guilty of the highest crime of disloyalty.

- John Buchanan Robinson

King, Questioned, Felt, Royal

Not an old woman that buys a paper of pins, without yielding a part of the price to the banks as interest!

- John Buchanan Robinson

Woman, Paper, Buys, Yielding

Accordingly, when the supply of gold runs short, the security behind the notes is diminished, the loaning of notes is restricted or suspended, and the panic follows.

- John Buchanan Robinson

Behind, Accordingly, Notes, Suspended

Large sums were paid for the use of money, because the available amount of gold and silver was far less than was needed to carry on the commercial transactions of the times.

- John Buchanan Robinson

Commercial, Amount, Large, Transactions

The Massachusetts Land Bank, during Colonial times, prospered, and brought prosperity to the community, until it was forcibly suppressed by special act of Parliament.

- John Buchanan Robinson

Community, Special, Brought, Massachusetts

Capital, however capital may be defined, would practically cease to exist as an income producing fund, for the simple reason that if money, wherewith to buy capital, could be obtained for one-half of one per cent, capital itself could command no higher price.

- John Buchanan Robinson

Reason, Income, However, Defined

There is never enough gold to redeem all the currency in circulation.

- John Buchanan Robinson

Gold, Never, Circulation, Redeem

There is no other who experiences your thoughts or your feelings.

- John Buchanan Robinson

Thoughts, Other, Your, Feelings

Your thoughts and emotions are yours alone.

- John Buchanan Robinson

Alone, Thoughts, Emotions, Yours

In precisely the same way money is often hired, and the hire paid for the use of it is called Interest.

- John Buchanan Robinson

Money, Same, Precisely, Hired

At present, financial crises occur, chiefly because the paper currency is redeemable in gold only.

- John Buchanan Robinson

Crises, Paper Currency, Financial Crises

Paper currency has hitherto been regarded with suspicion, as insecure.

- John Buchanan Robinson

Paper, Been, Regarded, Paper Currency

When not only gold but all commodities are available for the redemption of the paper currency, its volume is limited only by the value of all the wealth of the country, and it can never become insecure up to this limit.

- John Buchanan Robinson

Wealth, Country, Limited, Paper Currency

The business of a bank is to lend money; which amounts, nowadays, to lending credit.

- John Buchanan Robinson

Business, Bank, Which, Lend

In this way, the charge that the bank makes for the use of its notes - the interest - is a continual and universal tax upon all the members of the community.

- John Buchanan Robinson

Charge, Notes, Use, Members

Modern money is almost altogether credit money.

- John Buchanan Robinson

Money, Modern, Altogether, Credit

However near and dear to you may be your wife, children, friends, they are not you; they are outside of you.

- John Buchanan Robinson

Children, May, However, Near

The egoist is fooled by no ideals: he discards them or uses them, as may suit his own interest.

- John Buchanan Robinson

May, Ideals, His, Fooled

There is no word more generally misinterpreted than the word egoism, in its modern sense.

- John Buchanan Robinson

Modern, More, Than, Egoism

In brief, egoism in its modern interpretation, is the antithesis, not of altruism, but of idealism.

- John Buchanan Robinson

Idealism, Brief, Antithesis, Egoism

Sometimes, instead of purchasing a commodity out and out, people want to buy only the use of it, for a longer or shorter period. The price paid for such temporary use is commonly called hire.

- John Buchanan Robinson

Temporary, Commodity, Period, Commonly

It is often said by reformers that government should be conducted upon business principles.

- John Buchanan Robinson

Business, Government, Should, Principles

For each one of us stands alone in the midst of a universe.

- John Buchanan Robinson

Alone, Stands, Each One, Midst

According to your sympathy, you will take pleasure in your own happiness or in the happiness of other people; but it is always your own happiness you seek.

- John Buchanan Robinson

Will, Always, Other, Seek

But the egoist has no ideals, for the knowledge that his ideals are only his ideals, frees him from their domination. He acts for his own interest, not for the interest of ideals.

- John Buchanan Robinson

Own, Ideals, Acts, Domination

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