William Howells Quotations

Some people stay longer in an hour than others do in a month

Her mouth is a honey-blossom,No doubt, as the poet sings;But within her lips, the petals,Lurks a cruel bee that stings.

Her mouth is a honey-blossom, No doubt, as the poet sings; But within her lips, the petals, Lurks a cruel bee that stings.

We live, but a world has passed awayWith the years that perished to make us men.

We live, but a world has passed away With the years that perished to make us men.

Now I know that so long as we have social inequality we shall have snobs; we shall have men who bully and truckle, and women who snub and crawl. I know that it is futile to, spurn them, or lash them for trying to get on in the world, and that the world is what it must be from the selfish motives which underlie our economic life.

They are rather helplessly frank, but not, I hope, with all their rather helpless frankness, offensively frank.

In Europe life is histrionic and dramatized, and . . . in America, except when it is trying to be European, it is direct and sincere.

I know, indeed, of nothing more subtle 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 a fine physical state. It cannot be bought. But it is the keenest joy, after all; and the toiler's truest and best reward.

And the names he loved to hearHave been carved for many a yearOn the tomb.