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Rebecca Harding Davis Quotes

Powerful Rebecca Harding Davis for Daily Growth

About Rebecca Harding Davis

Rebecca Harding Davis (June 13, 1831 – October 24, 1910) was an American novelist, short-story writer, and journalist, known for her pioneering work in realism and her significant contributions to American literature during the postbellum period. Born in Virginia, Davis moved with her family to Pennsylvania at a young age. Her father's death when she was ten left the family financially struggling, which led her to begin contributing to the family income through writing. By the time she was sixteen, her work was published in both the Atlantic Monthly and Putnam's Magazine. In 1852, Davis married Henry C. Davis, a teacher, with whom she had three children. The marriage was marked by financial difficulties, as well as by Henry's alcoholism, which would significantly impact her mental health. This tumultuous relationship is reflected in many of Davis' works. Davis' major literary achievements include the novel "Life in the Iron Mills" (1861), considered one of the first great works of American realism. The story was set in a Pennsylvania iron mill and explored the harsh realities of working-class life, making it a powerful indictment of social conditions in the postbellum North. Another notable work is "Miss Ruth" (1863), a short story about a slave girl who becomes a free woman during the Civil War but struggles to find her place in a world that has suddenly changed. This work, like "Life in the Iron Mills," showcases Davis' keen insight into the human condition and her ability to portray complex characters and situations with empathy and realism. Despite her significant literary achievements, Davis' career was often overshadowed by her gender and the societal expectations of her time. She continued to write and publish until her death in 1910. Today, she is recognized as a key figure in American literature, with her works continuing to inspire and influence contemporary writers.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"There is no beauty in the progress of decay."

This quote suggests that as something or someone decays, there is a loss of beauty and vitality. It highlights the transient nature of beauty, which lies in growth, health, and strength rather than decline or deterioration. In other words, true beauty resonates with life and progression, not with decay and decline.

"It seems to me that there is a mystic bond between the hearts of mothers and their children; no distance can sever it."

This quote expresses the profound, transcendent connection between a mother's heart and her child. It suggests that this emotional tie cannot be broken by physical separation, regardless of the distance or circumstances. The bond is mystical, spiritual, and enduring – it remains strong throughout the course of their lives.

"One must have a heart as bold as nature to be always right."

This quote by Rebecca Harding Davis suggests that only those with great courage, similar to the natural world's indomitable spirit, can consistently make the right decisions or take the correct stance in life. In other words, the ability to be consistently "right" requires a level of boldness and fearlessness that mirrors the unwavering, unapologetic nature of the world itself.

"To live is to hope, and to hope is to suffer."

This quote by Rebecca Harding Davis suggests that living inherently involves harboring hopes and aspirations for the future. However, these hopes often come with a degree of suffering or disappointment when expectations are not met, or when obstacles hinder progress towards those hopes. It underscores the bittersweet nature of life, where we find joy in our dreams yet face struggles in their pursuit.

"There is not a particle of life in this dead world which has not been given up in despair."

The quote suggests a profound hopelessness or desolation that envelops the world described. Every aspect of this lifeless world is marked by resignation, indicating the utter abandonment of any hope for a better future. It underscores a deep sense of despair, as if all life has surrendered to an unyielding, dismal reality.

I went to Concord, a young woman from the backwoods, firm in belief that Emerson was the first of living men. He was the modern Moses who had talked with God apart and could interpret Him to us.

- Rebecca Harding Davis

Woman, Young, Emerson, Concord

War may be an armed angel with a mission, but she has the personal habits of the slums.

- Rebecca Harding Davis

Mission, She, Habits, Slums

North and South were equally confident that God was on their side, and appealed incessantly to Him.

- Rebecca Harding Davis

Side, South, Were, Incessantly

It is a good rule never to see or talk to the man whose words have wrung your heart, or helped it, just as it is wise not to look down too closely at the luminous glow which sometimes shines on your path on a summer night, if you would not see the ugly worm below.

- Rebecca Harding Davis

Sometimes, Rule, Shines, Luminous

For, after all, put it as we may to ourselves, we are all of us from birth to death guests at a table which we did not spread.

- Rebecca Harding Davis

Death, May, Which, Table

The histories which we have of the great tragedy give no idea of the general wretchedness, the squalid misery, which entered into every individual life in the region given up to the war. Where the armies camped the destruction was absolute.

- Rebecca Harding Davis

Idea, Misery, Armies, Region

Sitting by the chimney corner as we grow old, the commonest things around us take on live meanings and hint at the difference between these driving times and the calm, slow moving days when we were young.

- Rebecca Harding Davis

Young, Around, Chimney, Sitting

Every child was taught from his cradle that money was Mammon, the chief agent of the flesh and the devil.

- Rebecca Harding Davis

Taught, Agent, His, Flesh

Our village was built on the Ohio River, and was a halting place on this great national road, then the only avenue of traffic between the South and the North.

- Rebecca Harding Davis

Built, South, North, Traffic

Our young people have come to look upon war as a kind of beneficent deity, which not only adds to the national honor but uplifts a nation and develops patriotism and courage.

- Rebecca Harding Davis

Young, Nation, Which, Deity

We have grown used to money. The handling, the increase of it, is the chief business of life now with most of us.

- Rebecca Harding Davis

Business, Money, Most, Increase

TO preach a sermon or edit a newspaper were the two things in life which I always felt I could do with credit to myself and benefit to the world, if I only had the chance.

- Rebecca Harding Davis

Newspaper, Always, Which, Credit

You will find the poet who wrings the heart of the world, or the foremost captain of his time, driving a bargain or paring a potato, just as you would do.

- Rebecca Harding Davis

Will, Captain, Foremost, Bargain

We don't often look into these unpleasant details of our great struggle. We all prefer to think that every man who wore the blue or gray was a Philip Sidney at heart.

- Rebecca Harding Davis

Think, Prefer, Unpleasant, Philip

America may have great poets and novelists, but she never will have more than one necromancer.

- Rebecca Harding Davis

She, Never, Novelists, Poets

The only hero known to my childhood was Henry Clay.

- Rebecca Harding Davis

Childhood, Henry, Known, Clay

The sun, the earth, love, friends, our very breath are parts of the banquet.

- Rebecca Harding Davis

Love, Nature, Breath, Parts

You were only truly patriotic if you had a laborer for a grandfather and were glad of it.

- Rebecca Harding Davis

Only, Patriotic, Were, Laborer

Crime, to the man of the forties, was an alien monstrous terror.

- Rebecca Harding Davis

Man, Crime, Terror, Monstrous

Reform is born of need, not pity.

- Rebecca Harding Davis

Born, Need, Pity, Reform

But, after all, we are a young nation, and vanity is a fault of youth.

- Rebecca Harding Davis

Young, Nation, Fault, Vanity

It has happened to me to meet many of the men of my day whom the world agreed to call great.

- Rebecca Harding Davis

World, Meet, Call, Agreed

But remember, I am no politician, and no seer into souls.

- Rebecca Harding Davis

I Am, Remember, Souls, Politician

No man surely has so short a memory as the American.

- Rebecca Harding Davis

Memory, Short, American, Surely

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