Quotes from Washington Irving

After all, it is the divinity within that makes the divinity without; and I have been more fascinated by a woman of talent and intelligence, though deficient in personal charms, than I have been by the most regular beauty.

There is no character in the comedy of human life more difficult to play well than that of an old bachelor.

Washington, in fact, had very little private life, but was eminently a public character.

No man is so methodical as a complete idler, and none so scrupulous in measuring out his time as he whose time is worth nothing.

[I]n the gloomy month of February.... The Deserts of Arabia are not more dreary and inhospitable than the streets of London at such a time.

Christmas is a season for kindling the fire for hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.

There is certain relief in change, even though it be from bad to worse! As I have often found in traveling in a stagecoach, that it is often a comfort to shift one's position, and be bruised in a new place.

One of the greatest and simplest tools for learning more and growing is doing more.

Who ever hears of fat men heading a riot, or herding together in turbulent mobs? No - no, your lean, hungry men who are continually worrying society, and setting the whole community by the ears.

Indeed, there is an eloquence in true enthusiasm that is not to be doubted.

The sorrow for the dead is the only sorrow from which we refuse to be divorced. Every other wound we seek to heal - every other affliction to forget: but this wound we consider it a duty to keep open - this affliction we cherish and brood over in solitude.

The moan of the whip-poor-will from the hillside; the boding cry of the tree-toad, that harbinger of storm; the dreary hooting of the screechowl.

There is something nobly simple and pure in a taste for the cultivation of forest trees.

And if unhappy in her love, her heart is like some fortress that has been captured, and sacked, and abandoned, and left desolate.

True love will not brook reserve; it feels undervalued and outraged, when even the sorrows of those it loves are concealed from it.

A woman is more considerate in affairs of love than a man; because love is more the study and business of her life.

A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles.

It was Shakespeare's notion that on this day birds begin to couple; hence probably arose the custom of sending fancy love-billets.

There is a certain relief in change, even though it be from bad to worse; as I have found in traveling in a stagecoach, it is often a comfort to shift one's position and be bruised in a new place.

Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortune; but great minds rise above it.

Here's to your good health, and your family's good health, and may you all live long and prosper.

It is but seldom that any one overt act produces hostilities between two nations; there exists, more commonly, a previous jealousy and ill will, a predisposition to take offense.

Some minds seem almost to create themselves, springing up under every disadvantage and working their solitary but irresistible way through a thousand obstacles.

There is in every woman's heart a spark of heavenly fire which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity, but which kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity.