John Ruskin Noble Quotations

No art can be noble which is incapable of expressing thought, and no art is capable of expressing thought which does not change.

That country is the richest which nourishes the greatest number of noble and happy human beings.

It seems a fantastic paradox, but it is nevertheless a most important truth, that no architecture can be truly noble which is not imperfect.

Poetry is the suggestion, by the imagination, of noble grounds for the noble emotions

That thirst (for applause) if the last infirmity of noble minds, is also the first infirmity of weak ones

Painting with all its technicalities, difficulties, and peculiar ends, is nothing but a noble and expressive language, invaluable as the vehicle of thought, but by itself nothing.

What is poetry? The suggestion, by the imagination, of noble grounds for the noble emotions.

The noble grotesque involves the true appreciation of beauty.

In mortals there is a care for trifles which proceeds from love and conscience, and is most holy; and a care for trifles which comes of idleness and frivolity, and is most base. And so, also, there is a gravity proceeding from thought, which is most noble; and a gravity proceeding from dulness and mere incapability of enjoyment, which is most base.

In one point of view, Gothic is not only the best, but the only rational architecture, as being that which can fit itself most easily to all services, vulgar or noble.

In general, when the imagination is at all noble, it is irresistible, and therefore those who can at all resist it ought to resist it. Be a plain topographer if you possibly can; if Nature meant you to be anything else, she will force you to it; but never try to be a prophet.

Every noble life leaves its fibre interwoven forever in the work of the world.

No architecture can be truly noble which is not imperfect.