Quotes by Washington Irving

How idle a boast, after all, is the immortality of a name! Time is ever silently turning over his pages; we are too much engrossed by the story of the present to think of the character and anecdotes that gave interest to the past; and each age is a volume thrown aside and forgotten.

— Washington Irving

Wisdom

There is a voice from the tomb sweeter than song. There is a remembrance of the dead to which we turn even from the charms of the living. O, the grave! the grave! It buries every error, covers every defect, extinguishes every resentment. From its peaceful bosom spring none but fond regrets and tender recollections.

— Washington Irving

Life

Love is never lost. If not reciprocated, it will flow back and soften and purify the heart.

— Washington Irving

Love

There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love.

— Washington Irving

Love

Sweet is the memory of distant friends! Like the mellow rays of the departing sun, it falls tenderly, yet sadly, on the heart.

— Washington Irving

Love

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

— Washington Irving

Love

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.

— Washington Irving

Love

The land of literature is a fairy land to those who view it at a distance, but, like all other landscapes, the charm fades on a nearer approach, and the thorns and briars become visible.

— Washington Irving

Wisdom

An inexhaustible good nature is one of the most precious gifts of heaven, spreading itself like oil over the troubled sea of thought, and keeping the mind smooth and equable in the roughest weather.

— Washington Irving

Wisdom

A father may turn his back on his child, brothers and sisters may become inveterate enemies, husbands may desert their wives, wives their husbands. But a mother's love endures through all.

— Washington Irving

Love

The tongue is the only tool that gets sharper with use.

— Washington Irving

Wisdom

There is never jealousy where there is not strong regard.

— Washington Irving

Wisdom

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

— Washington Irving

Wisdom

Great minds have purposes; others have wishes.

— Washington Irving

Wisdom

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.

— Washington Irving

Wisdom

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

— Washington Irving

Love

There is a serene and settled majesty to woodland scenery that enters into the soul and delights and elevates it, and fills it with noble inclinations.

— Washington Irving

Wisdom

A sharp tongue is the only edge tool that grows keener with constant use.

— Washington Irving

Wisdom

Honest good humor is the oil and wine of a merry meeting, and there is no jovial companionship equal to that where the jokes are rather small and laughter abundant.

— Washington Irving

Truth

Age is a matter of feeling, not of years.

— Washington Irving

Wisdom

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.

— Washington Irving

Wisdom

There is in every true 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.

— Washington Irving

Love

A tart temper never mellows with age, and a sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use.

— Washington Irving

Wisdom

They who drink beer will think beer.

— Washington Irving

Wisdom