Washington Irving Quotes

There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love.

- Washington Irving

There is in every true woman's heart, a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity, but which kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity.

- Washington Irving

Marriage is the torment of one, the felicity of two, the strife and enmity of three.

- Washington Irving

The easiest thing to do, whenever you fail, is to put yourself down by blaming your lack of ability for your misfortunes.

- Washington Irving

Sweet is the memory of distant friends! Like the mellow rays of the departing sun, it falls tenderly, yet sadly, on the heart.

- Washington Irving

Great minds have purposes; others have wishes.

- Washington Irving

A tart temper never mellows with age, and a sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use.

- Washington Irving

A sharp tongue is the only edge tool that grows keener with constant use.

- Washington Irving

Temper never mellows with age, and a sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use.

- Washington Irving

The sorrow for the dead is the only sorrow from which we refuse to be divorced. Every other wound we seek to heal - every other affliction to forget: but this wound we consider it a duty to keep open - this affliction we cherish and brood over in solitude.

- Washington Irving

Love is never lost. If not reciprocated, it will flow back and soften and purify the heart.

- Washington Irving

Who ever hears of fat men heading a riot, or herding together in turbulent mobs? No - no, your lean, hungry men who are continually worrying society, and setting the whole community by the ears.

- Washington Irving

There is a serene and settled majesty to woodland scenery that enters into the soul and delights and elevates it, and fills it with noble inclinations.

- Washington Irving

There is in every woman's heart a spark of heavenly fire which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity, but which kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity.

- Washington Irving

A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles.

- Washington Irving

Christmas is a season for kindling the fire for hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.

- Washington Irving

An inexhaustible good nature is one of the most precious gifts of heaven, spreading itself like oil over the troubled sea of thought, and keeping the mind smooth and equable in the roughest weather.

- Washington Irving

It is not poverty so much as pretense that harasses a ruined man - the struggle between a proud mind and an empty purse - the keeping up of a hollow show that must soon come to an end.

- Washington Irving

There is certain relief in change, even though it be from bad to worse! As I have often found in traveling in a stagecoach, that it is often a comfort to shift one's position, and be bruised in a new place.

- Washington Irving

Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortune; but great minds rise above them.

- Washington Irving

Rising genius always shoots out its rays from among the clouds, but these will gradually roll away and disappear as it ascends to its steady luster.

- Washington Irving

Honest good humor is the oil and wine of a merry meeting, and there is no jovial companionship equal to that where the jokes are rather small and laughter abundant.

- Washington Irving

After all, it is the divinity within that makes the divinity without; and I have been more fascinated by a woman of talent and intelligence, though deficient in personal charms, than I have been by the most regular beauty.

- Washington Irving

The land of literature is a fairy land to those who view it at a distance, but, like all other landscapes, the charm fades on a nearer approach, and the thorns and briars become visible.

- Washington Irving

Young lawyers attend the courts, not because they have business there, but because they have no business.

- Washington Irving

The tongue is the only tool that gets sharper with use.

- Washington Irving

Some minds seem almost to create themselves, springing up under every disadvantage and working their solitary but irresistible way through a thousand obstacles.

- Washington Irving

A woman's whole life is a history of the affections.

- Washington Irving

The natural principle of war is to do the most harm to our enemy with the least harm to ourselves; and this of course is to be effected by stratagem.

- Washington Irving

A father may turn his back on his child, brothers and sisters may become inveterate enemies, husbands may desert their wives, wives their husbands. But a mother's love endures through all.

- Washington Irving

Acting provides the fulfillment of never being fulfilled. You're never as good as you'd like to be. So there's always something to hope for.

- Washington Irving

He is the true enchanter, whose spell operates, not upon the senses, but upon the imagination and the heart.

- Washington Irving

Indeed, there is an eloquence in true enthusiasm that is not to be doubted.

- Washington Irving

There is a healthful hardiness about real dignity that never dreads contact and communion with others however humble.

- Washington Irving

The idol of today pushes the hero of yesterday out of our recollection; and will, in turn, be supplanted by his successor of tomorrow.

- Washington Irving

The natural effect of sorrow over the dead is to refine and elevate the mind.

- Washington Irving

Nothing is enough for the man to whom enough is too little.

- Washington Irving

They who drink beer will think beer.

- Washington Irving

One of the greatest and simplest tools for learning more and growing is doing more.

- Washington Irving

There is never jealousy where there is not strong regard.

- Washington Irving

Kindness in women, not their beauteous looks, shall win my love.

- Washington Irving

Those men are most apt to be obsequious and conciliating abroad, who are under the discipline of shrews at home.

- Washington Irving

I've had it with you and your emotional constipation!

- Washington Irving

I am always at a loss at how much to believe of my own stories.

- Washington Irving