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William Lyon Phelps Quotes

Powerful William Lyon Phelps for Daily Growth

About William Lyon Phelps

William Lyon Phelps (1865-1943), an eminent American literary critic and educator, was born on March 17, 1865, in Salem, Massachusetts. His love for literature was nurtured from a young age, and he pursued a career that would allow him to immerse himself in the world of books. Phelps earned his Bachelor's degree from Yale University in 1887, where he was influenced by such scholars as Richard Wendell and William Dwight Whitney. After graduation, he returned to Yale as an instructor, rising through the ranks to become Professor of English Literature in 1904. He would later serve as Dean of the Yale College from 1921 until his retirement in 1935. Throughout his career, Phelps made significant contributions to literary criticism and education. He was a strong advocate for close reading and analysis, encouraging students to delve deeply into the textual nuances of literature. His influential work "A Study of Shaw's Dramatic Method" (1900) examined the plays of George Bernard Shaw from a psychological perspective. Phelps also played a crucial role in shaping American literary culture. He was instrumental in establishing the Yale Review, which would become one of America's leading literary journals. He was a prolific author himself, penning numerous books and articles on various literary topics, including "The Art of Reading" (1920), "Shakespeare's Imagery and What It Tells Us" (1937), and "The Art of Understanding Shakespeare" (1940). William Lyon Phelps passed away on January 1, 1943. His legacy lives on in the generations of scholars he influenced and the enduring importance of close reading in literary analysis.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"We are not afraid to follow truth wherever it may lead, nor to tolerate any error so long as reason is left free to combat it."

This quote suggests a commitment to unwavering intellectual honesty and open-mindedness. It signifies the willingness to pursue truth fearlessly, regardless of where it may lead or what one might encounter along the way. Additionally, it endorses tolerating error as long as rational discourse is allowed to challenge and refute it, thereby fostering a culture of intellectual growth and learning.

"Education is the movement from darkness to light."

This quote by William Lyon Phelps emphasizes that education serves as a transformative journey, moving one from ignorance (darkness) towards knowledge, understanding, and enlightenment (light). It highlights the importance of learning and the role it plays in personal growth, illuminating our minds with wisdom.

"In a real sense all life is on the border of disaster, and it is only those who are too lazy or indolent or timid ever to take advantages of that fact who do not live at that border of disaster."

This quote by William Lyon Phelps suggests that life inherently teeters on the edge of calamity, and it is only those individuals who are complacent, lacking in initiative, or fearful who fail to seize opportunities that keep them close to the precipice of disaster. In other words, it is through embracing challenges and taking risks that we truly live our lives to their fullest potential.

"A good teacher is like a candle – it consumes itself to light the way for others."

The quote by William Lyon Phelps emphasizes that a great teacher sacrifices their own resources (time, energy, knowledge) to guide and enlighten their students. Just as a candle burns to provide light, a good teacher sacrifices themselves for the benefit of others, illuminating the path of learning and personal growth. This quote highlights the selfless nature and profound impact that excellent teachers have on their students' lives.

"Life is an open book, and every page should be turned with enthusiasm."

This quote suggests that life, much like a book, is filled with new experiences, knowledge, and opportunities. Every moment, or "page," of our lives offers the potential for growth, discovery, and excitement. The enthusiasm with which we approach these moments can determine the richness and satisfaction we derive from them. It encourages us to maintain a positive and eager attitude towards life's continuous unfolding, seizing each new opportunity that comes our way.

The final test of a gentleman is his respect for those who can be of no possible service to him.

- William Lyon Phelps

Respect, Test, His, Final

A well-ordered life is like climbing a tower; the view halfway up is better than the view from the base, and it steadily becomes finer as the horizon expands.

- William Lyon Phelps

Life, Like, Becomes, Halfway

A cat pours his body on the floor like water. It is restful just to see him.

- William Lyon Phelps

See, Like, His, Restful

God speaks to me not through the thunder and the earthquake, nor through the ocean and the stars, but through the Son of Man, and speaks in a language adapted to my imperfect sight and hearing.

- William Lyon Phelps

Through, Thunder, Earthquake, Imperfect

Those who decide to use leisure as a means of mental development, who love good music, good books, good pictures, good plays, good company, good conversation - what are they? They are the happiest people in the world.

- William Lyon Phelps

Love, Development, Means, Conversation

There is a strange reluctance on the part of most people to admit they enjoy life.

- William Lyon Phelps

Admit, Part, Most, Reluctance

You can be deprived of your money, your job and your home by someone else, but remember that no one can ever take away your honor.

- William Lyon Phelps

Honor, Away, Your Honor, Deprived

The fear of life is the favorite disease of the 20th century.

- William Lyon Phelps

Life, Disease, Century, 20th Century

If I were running the world I would have it rain only between 2 and 5 a.m. Anyone who was out then ought to get wet.

- William Lyon Phelps

Rain, Wet, Then, Ought

A student never forgets an encouraging private word, when it is given with sincere respect and admiration.

- William Lyon Phelps

Never, Encouraging, Given, Forgets

Nature makes boys and girls lovely to look upon so they can be tolerated until they acquire some sense.

- William Lyon Phelps

Lovely, Some, Tolerated, Boys And Girls

If at first you don't succeed, find out if the loser gets anything.

- William Lyon Phelps

Funny, Succeed, Find, If At First

You can learn more about human nature by reading the Bible than by living in New York.

- William Lyon Phelps

Bible, New, Living, Human Nature

The belief that youth is the happiest time of life is founded on a fallacy. The happiest person is the person who thinks the most interesting thoughts, and we grow happier as we grow older.

- William Lyon Phelps

Thoughts, Grow, Happiest, Fallacy

One of the secrets of life is to keep our intellectual curiosity acute.

- William Lyon Phelps

Curiosity, Keep, Acute, Secrets

I divide all readers into two classes: those who read to remember and those who read to forget.

- William Lyon Phelps

Remember, Forget, Read, Readers

A bibliophile of little means is likely to suffer often. Books don't slip from his hands but fly past him through the air, high as birds, high as prices.

- William Lyon Phelps

Through, Means, Likely, Slip

If you develop the absolute sense of certainty that powerful beliefs provide, then you can get yourself to accomplish virtually anything, including those things that other people are certain are impossible.

- William Lyon Phelps

Other, Including, Virtually, Certainty

In a start-up company, you basically throw out all assumptions every three weeks.

- William Lyon Phelps

Throw, Weeks, Basically, Assumptions

If happiness truly consisted in physical ease and freedom from care, then the happiest individual would not be either a man or a woman; it would be, I think, an American cow.

- William Lyon Phelps

Think, Ease, I Think, Physical

This is the final test of a gentleman: his respect for those who can be of no possible service to him.

- William Lyon Phelps

Service, Test, His, Gentleman

If I didn't start painting, I would have raised chickens.

- William Lyon Phelps

Painting, Chickens, Would, Raised

The happiest people in this world are those who have the most interesting thoughts.

- William Lyon Phelps

Thoughts, World, Most, Happiest

Whenever it is possible, a boy should choose some occupation which he should do even if he did not need the money.

- William Lyon Phelps

Need, Some, Which, Occupation

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