Holmes, Sr., Oliver Wendell -- The Autocrat of the Breakfast Table (1858)
Even in common people, conceit has the virtue of making them cheerful; the man who thinks his wife, his baby, his house, his horse, his dog, and himself severally unequalled, is almost sure to be a...
View ArticleHolmes, Sr., Oliver Wendell -- The Autocrat of the Breakfast Table (1858)
All generous minds have a horror of what are commonly called “facts.” They are the brute beasts of the intellectual domain. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809-1894) American poet, essayist, scholarThe...
View ArticleHolmes, Sr., Oliver Wendell -- The Autocrat of the Breakfast Table (1858)
A pun does not commonly justify a blow in return. But if a blow were given for such cause, and death ensued, the jury would be judges both of the facts and of the pun, and might, if the latter were of...
View ArticleHolmes, Sr., Oliver Wendell -- The Autocrat of the Breakfast Table (1858)
The mind of a bigot is like the pupil of the eye; the more light you pour upon it, the more it will contract. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809-1894) American poet, essayist, scholarThe Autocrat of the...
View ArticleHolmes, Sr., Oliver Wendell -- The Autocrat of the Breakfast Table (1858)
Talking is like playing the harp; there is as much in laying the hand on the strings to stop their vibrations as in twanging them to bring out their music. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809-1894)...
View ArticleHolmes, Sr., Oliver Wendell -- Over the Teacups, ch. 7 (1781)
There never was an idea started that work up men out of their stupid indifference but its originator was spoken of as a crank. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809-1894) American poet, essayist,...
View ArticleHolmes, Sr., Oliver Wendell -- Over the Teacups, ch. 4 (1891)
It is the peculiarity of the bore that he is the last person to find himself out. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809-1894) American poet, essayist, scholarOver the Teacups, ch. 4 (1891)
View ArticleHolmes, Sr., Oliver Wendell -- Elsie Venner (1859)
If a man has a genuine, sincere, hearty wish to get rid of his liberty, if he is really bent upon becoming a slave, nothing can stop him. And the temptation is to some natures a very great one. Liberty...
View ArticleHolmes, Sr., Oliver Wendell -- Elsie Venner (1859)
Treat bad men exactly as if they were insane. They are in-sane, out of health, morally. Reason, which is food to sound minds, is not tolerated, still less assimilated, unless administered with the...
View ArticleHolmes, Sr., Oliver Wendell -- (Attributed)
I wouldn’t give a fig for the simplicity on this side of complexity; I would give my right arm for the simplicity on the far side of complexity. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809-1894) American poet,...
View ArticleHolmes, Sr., Oliver Wendell -- “Lord of All Being” (1848)
Grant us Thy truth to make us free, And kindling hearts that burn for Thee, Till all Thy living altars claim One holy light, one heavenly flame. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809-1894) American poet,...
View ArticleHolmes, Sr., Oliver Wendell -- “Contentment”
I only ask that Fortune send A little more than I shall spend. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809-1894) American poet, essayist, scholar“Contentment” Full text.
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It is better to be seventy years young than forty years old! Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809-1894) American poet, essayist, scholar(Attributed) Reply to an invitation for the seventieth birthday of...
View Article“The Deacon’s Masterpiece” (1858)
There’s nothing that keeps its youth, So far as I know, but a tree and truth. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809-1894) American poet, essayist, scholar“The Deacon’s Masterpiece” (1858)
View ArticleHolmes, Sr., Oliver Wendell -- Over the Teacups, ch. 7 (1891)
What refuge is there for the victim who is oppressed with the feeling that there are a thousand new books he ought to read, while life is only long enough for him to attempt to read a hundred? Oliver...
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