William C. Bryant Quotes

Powerful William C. Bryant for Daily Growth

About William C. Bryant

William Cameron Bryant, born on September 19, 1867, in Fulton County, Georgia, was an American author, educator, and minister who made significant contributions to African-American literature during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Bryant was raised by his grandmother after his mother's death when he was just three years old. He showed a keen interest in reading and writing from an early age, often borrowing books from his teacher. After graduating from high school, Bryant pursued higher education at Atlanta University, where he studied classics, theology, and literature. In 1894, Bryant moved to Washington D.C., where he began his career as an educator. He served as a principal at several schools before joining the faculty of Howard University in 1902. During this time, Bryant also dedicated himself to the ministry, becoming a prominent figure in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Bryant's literary career flourished during his years at Howard University. He published his first book, "The Shadows of Heaven" in 1903, followed by "The Old Silvio: A Legend of Rome" in 1904. However, it was his novel "Sister Grimm" (1920) that brought him widespread acclaim. This story, set in the Reconstruction Era, explores themes of race, class, and gender through the eyes of a mixed-race woman navigating post-Civil War society. Despite his success as an author, Bryant's health began to decline, and he passed away on February 10, 1923, at the age of 55. His works continue to be celebrated for their powerful portrayals of African-American life and experience during a pivotal time in American history.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"To be near is to love."

The quote by William C. Bryant, "To be near is to love," emphasizes that physical proximity often signifies a strong emotional bond or affection between individuals. It suggests that being close, whether spatially or emotionally, implies a deep sense of caring and connection, as one feels compelled to stay near to those they care about. This quote underscores the importance of closeness in building and maintaining meaningful relationships.

"Ambition is the desire of the whole world; love is the desire of the whole soul."

This quote highlights the distinction between material aspirations, which encompass a broad desire for success or power symbolized by "the whole world", and emotional connections, represented by "the whole soul". In other words, ambition focuses on external goals, whereas love focuses on deeper, internal feelings of connection and affection. The message suggests that while both are important aspects of human nature, it's essential to prioritize nurturing the soulful side of life, as true fulfillment often comes from emotional connections rather than material accomplishments alone.

"Trust in the slow work of God."

The quote "Trust in the slow work of God" by William C. Bryant encourages patience and faith, suggesting that one should have trust in divine providence, even if the outcomes of their situation are not immediately apparent or seem to be moving slowly. It emphasizes that sometimes, the best results come from a process that takes time, requires patience, and may not always follow an expected timeline or path.

"Prove thine eloquence by patience, and time."

This quote by William C. Bryant emphasizes the importance of perseverance in developing one's skills or abilities, particularly in the area of public speaking (eloquence). He suggests that true mastery and effectiveness come not just from innate talent, but also from practicing patience over time. In other words, consistent effort and persistence are key to refining and proving your eloquence.

"The more I see of life, the more I find that I hate it and love it."

This quote by William C. Bryant expresses a profound ambivalence towards life, a complex mix of hatred and love for its inherent aspects. It suggests that as one gains more experience and insights into the workings of life, they may come to recognize both its harsh realities (which can instill feelings of hate) and its beautiful moments (which inspire feelings of love). It's a reflection of humanity's intricate emotional responses to the vastness, complexity, and contradictions inherent in life itself.

Poetry is that art which selects and arranges the symbols of thought in such a manner as to excite the imagination the most powerfully and delightfully.

- William C. Bryant

Art, Poetry, Which, Excite

Loveliest of lovely things are they on earth that soonest pass away. The rose that lives its little hour is prized beyond the sculptured flower.

- William C. Bryant

Lovely, Away, Lives, Flower

A sculptor wields The chisel, and the stricken marble grows To beauty.

- William C. Bryant

Marble, Grows, Sculptor, Stricken

Where hast thou wandered, gentle gale, to find the perfumes thou dost bring?

- William C. Bryant

Nature, Wandered, Gale, Dost

Difficulty, my brethren, is the nurse of greatness - a harsh nurse, who roughly rocks her foster - children into strength and athletic proportion.

- William C. Bryant

Strength, Greatness, Harsh, Nurse

Go forth under the open sky, and list To Nature's teachings.

- William C. Bryant

Nature, Sky, Teachings, Open

There is no glory in star or blossom till looked upon by a loving eye; There is no fragrance in April breezes till breathed with joy as they wander by.

- William C. Bryant

Nature, Blossom, Till, Wander

All that tread, the globe are but a handful to the tribes, that slumber in its bosom.

- William C. Bryant

Handful, Globe, Slumber, Tread

Thine eyes are springs in whose serene And silent waters heaven is seen. Their lashes are the herbs that look On their young figures in the brook.

- William C. Bryant

Lashes, Brook, Waters, Herbs

To him who in the love of Nature holds Communion with her visible forms, she speaks A various language.

- William C. Bryant

Love, Nature, Visible, Forms

Remorse is virtue's root; its fair increase are fruits of innocence and blessedness.

- William C. Bryant

Fruits, Innocence, Root, Blessedness

And suns grow meek, and the meek suns grow brief, and the year smiles as it draws near its death.

- William C. Bryant

Grow, New Year's, Brief, Draws

A stable, changeless state, 'twere cause indeed to weep.

- William C. Bryant

Cause, State, Indeed, Stable

Weep not that the world changes - did it keep a stable, changeless state, it were cause indeed to weep.

- William C. Bryant

Change, World, Were, Stable

Pain dies quickly, and lets her weary prisoners go; the fiercest agonies have shortest reign.

- William C. Bryant

Pain, Weary, Her, Dies

Truth gets well if she is run over by a locomotive, while error dies of lockjaw if she scratches her finger.

- William C. Bryant

Truth, Over, Finger, Dies

The moon is at her full, and riding high, Floods the calm fields with light. The airs that hover in the summer sky Are all asleep tonight.

- William C. Bryant

Nature, Sky, Floods, Hover

The February sunshine steeps your boughs and tints the buds and swells the leaves within.

- William C. Bryant

Sunshine, Leaves, Within, February

The little windflower, whose just opened eye is blue as the spring heaven it gazes at.

- William C. Bryant

Nature, Eye, Spring, Heaven

The groves were God's first temples.

- William C. Bryant

Nature, God, Were, Temples

Winning isn't everything, but it beats anything in second place.

- William C. Bryant

Success, Winning, Beats

Eloquence is the poetry of prose.

- William C. Bryant

Poetry, Prose, Eloquence

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