Thomas De Quincey Quotes

Powerful Thomas De Quincey for Daily Growth

About Thomas De Quincey

Thomas De Quincey (1785-1859), a British essayist, critic, and autobiographer, is renowned for his influential literary contributions to Romanticism. Born in Manchester, England on August 15, 1785, he was the third child of Anna Marcella Mouritz and Thomas De Quincey Sr., an Anglo-Italian merchant. Due to financial difficulties, De Quincey's family relocated frequently during his childhood, which would later shape much of his work. De Quincey's education was sporadic; he attended various schools but never completed a formal degree. However, he developed an early passion for literature and classical languages. His life took a dramatic turn when he became addicted to opium at the age of 13, an addiction that would plague him throughout his adult life. In 1804, De Quincey moved to Edinburgh to study medicine but was eventually expelled from the University of Edinburgh for non-payment of fees. He continued his self-education in literature and philosophy, which would later inform his groundbreaking essays and works. De Quincey is best known for his seminal work, "Confessions of an English Opium Eater" (1821), a powerful narrative detailing his struggle with addiction. The book, one of the first modern addiction narratives, is a testament to his personal struggles and their impact on his literary output. De Quincey's other significant works include "On Murder Considered as One of the Fine Arts" (1827), an essay exploring the psychological aspects of crime, and "The Lake Poets" (1835), a critical study of William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and Robert Southey. Thomas De Quincey died on December 8, 1859, in Edinburgh. His legacy lives on in his compelling narratives that continue to influence contemporary literature and critical thought.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I learned to my cost, and am still learning, that it is in the nature of things that a man should be long apprenticed in his own mind."

This quote by Thomas De Quincey signifies the ongoing, lifelong process of self-discovery and personal growth. The speaker reflects on his past experiences, emphasizing that learning about oneself takes time, effort, and continuous exploration. Personal insights are not typically gained overnight, but rather through a prolonged period of introspection, trial, and error. This quote serves as a reminder that we should be patient with ourselves as we strive to understand our thoughts, feelings, and motivations.

"The first and last of all certainties is that nothing is certain."

This quote by Thomas De Quincey underscores the inherent uncertainty that underpins human knowledge and experience. In essence, it reminds us that no matter how confident we may be about something, there always remains a degree of unpredictability or potential for error in our understanding of the world. It encourages humility, open-mindedness, and a willingness to question and learn as we navigate through life.

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive."

This quote emphasizes the value and joy in the journey itself, rather than solely focusing on the destination. It suggests that the process of traveling with hope, curiosity, and openness enriches our lives more than simply reaching an endpoint. The quote encourages us to cherish experiences and learnings along the way, understanding that growth and personal development often come from overcoming challenges and embracing new experiences.

"Every thing in its season: time has made heroes of us all."

This quote by Thomas De Quincey suggests that, given enough time, every individual has the potential to become a 'hero' or achieve greatness within their own context. It implies that life's journey and experiences are structured in a way that allows each person to grow, mature, and demonstrate exceptional qualities, provided they remain steadfast and persevere through the challenges they encounter over time. Essentially, it highlights how the passage of time is an essential ingredient for personal development and greatness.

"There is no exquisite beauty...without some strangeness in the proportion."

This quote by Thomas De Quincey suggests that true beauty often contains an element of the unusual or unexpected, which sets it apart from ordinary or predictable appearances. In essence, he's saying that the most captivating forms of beauty lie at the intersection of aesthetics and strangeness or uniqueness, where the harmony between seemingly disparate elements creates something extraordinary and memorable.

Cows are amongst the gentlest of breathing creatures; none show more passionate tenderness to their young when deprived of them; and, in short, I am not ashamed to profess a deep love for these quiet creatures.

- Thomas de Quincey

Love, Deep, Profess, Cows

Call for the grandest of all earthly spectacles, what is that? It is the sun going to his rest.

- Thomas de Quincey

Rest, Call, His, Earthly

Solitude, though it may be silent as light, is like light, the mightiest of agencies; for solitude is essential to man. All men come into this world alone and leave it alone.

- Thomas de Quincey

Silent, May, Though, Essential

Even imperfection itself may have its ideal or perfect state.

- Thomas de Quincey

May, Ideal, Itself, Imperfection

Tea, though ridiculed by those who are naturally coarse in their nervous sensibilities will always be the favorite beverage of the intellectual.

- Thomas de Quincey

Will, Always, Though, Beverage

Nobody will laugh long who deals much with opium: its pleasures even are of a grave and solemn complexion.

- Thomas de Quincey

Will, Grave, Complexion, Solemn

It was a Sunday afternoon, wet and cheerless; and a duller spectacle this earth of ours has not to show than a rainy Sunday in London.

- Thomas de Quincey

London, Wet, Spectacle, Rainy

If once a man indulges himself in murder, very soon he comes to think little of robbing; and from robbing he comes next to drinking and Sabbath-breaking, and from that to incivility and procrastination.

- Thomas de Quincey

Think, Next, Very, Robbing

In many walks of life, a conscience is a more expensive encumbrance than a wife or a carriage.

- Thomas de Quincey

Conscience, Carriage, Walks, Expensive

Man should forget his anger before he lies down to sleep.

- Thomas de Quincey

Sleep, Forget, His, Anger

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