The secret of the man who is universally interesting is that he is universally interested. William Dean Howells More Quotes by William Dean Howells More Quotes From William Dean Howells It is the still, small voice that the soul heeds, not the deafening blasts of doom. William Dean Howells fate voice soul A man never sees all that his mother has been to him until it's too late to let her know that he sees it. William Dean Howells mom mother men The wars come and go in blood and tears; but whether they are bad wars, or what are comically called good wars, they are of one effect in death and sorrow. William Dean Howells sorrow war blood He who sleeps in continual noise is wakened by silence. William Dean Howells silence sleep inspirational A friend knows how to allow for mere quantity in your talk, and only replies to the quality. William Dean Howells quantity know-how quality Inequality is as dear to the American heart as liberty itself. William Dean Howells equality liberty heart If we like a man's dream, we call him a reformer; if we don't like his dream, we call him a crank. William Dean Howells political dream men By beauty of course I mean truth, for the one involves the other; it is only the false in art which is ugly, and it is only the ugly that is universal. William Dean Howells ugly mean art Primitive societies without religion have never been found. William Dean Howells primitive found You'll find as you grow older that you weren't born such a great while ago after all. The time shortens up. William Dean Howells confidence time birthday Do not trouble yourselves about standards or ideals; but try to be faithful and natural: remember that there is no greatness, no beauty, which does not come from truth to your own knowledge of things; and keep on working, even if your work is not long remembered. William Dean Howells greatness truth long In Europe life is histrionic and dramatized, and in America, except when it is trying to be European, it is direct and sincere. William Dean Howells trying europe america Is it worth while to observe that there are no Venetian blinds in Venice? William Dean Howells venice Wisdom and goodness are twin-born, one heart must hold both sisters, never seen apart. William Dean Howells sister twins heart If ever the public was betrayed by its press, it's ours. William Dean Howells presses betrayed ifs Some people stay longer in an hour than others can in a week. William Dean Howells sarcastic change people The disposition to give a cup of cold water to a disciple is a far nobler property than the finest intellect. Satan has a fine intellect, but not the image of God. William Dean Howells cups giving water It's a curious thing, this thing we call civilization...we think it is an affair of epochs, and nations. It's really an affair of individuals. One brother will be civilized and the other a barbarian...All civilization comes through literature now, especially in our country. A Greek got his civilization by talking and looking, and in some measure a Parisian may still do it. But we, who live remote from history and monuments, we must read or we must barbarise. William Dean Howells brother country thinking I know, indeed, of nothing more subtly satisfying and cheering than a knowledge of the real good will and appreciation of others. Such happiness does not come with money, nor does it flow from fine physical state. It cannot be brought. But it is the keenest joy, after all; and the toiler's truest and best reward. William Dean Howells cheer appreciation happiness What the American public wants in the theater is a tragedy with a happy ending. William Dean Howells theatre tragedy want
