George Henry Lewes

“The object of Literature is to instruct, to animate, or to amuse.”

“When a man fails to see the truth of certain generally accepted views, there is no law compelling him to provoke animosity by announcing his dissent.”

“Originality is independence, not rebellion; it is sincerity, not antagonism.”

“Science is the systematic classification of experience.”

“The delusions of self-love cannot be prevented, but intellectual misconceptions as to the means of achieving success may be corrected.”

“Books have become our dearest companions, yielding exquisite delights and inspiring lofty aims.”

“It is unhappily true that much insincere Literature and Art, executed solely with a view to effect, does succeed by deceiving the public.”

“No man was ever eloquent by trying to be eloquent, but only by being so.”

“In all sincere speech there is power, not necessarily great power, but as much as the speaker is capable of.”

“Sincerity is not only effective and honourable, it is also much less difficult than is commonly supposed.”

“Insincerity is always weakness; sincerity even in error is strength.”

“Ordinary men live among marvels and feel no wonder, grow familiar with objects and learn nothing new about them.”

“Many a genius has been slow of growth. Oaks that flourish for a thousand years do not spring up into beauty like a reed.”

“The superiority of one mind over another depends on the rapidity with which experiences are thus organised.”

“Endeavour to be faithful, and if there is any beauty in your thought, your style will be beautiful; if there is any real emotion to express, the expression will be moving.”

“All bad Literature rests upon imperfect insight, or upon imitation, which may be defined as seeing at second-hand.”

“Literature is at once the cause and the effect of social progress.”

“Literature delivers tidings of the world within and the world without.”