John Ruskin Quotes

A collection of quotes by John Ruskin.

John Ruskin (1819-1900) was a renowned English art critic, writer, and social thinker of the Victorian era. Born in London, he was raised in a well-to-do family with a keen interest in art and literature. Ruskin's early experiences of travel and exposure to grand architecture sparked his lifelong passion for the arts.

Ruskin's prolific career was characterized by his distinct writing style, combining art criticism with social commentary. He emphasized the moral and spiritual dimensions of art, advocating for the belief that beauty and art were essential aspects of society. As one of the leading voices in the Pre-Raphaelite movement, his writings heavily influenced the art world of his time.

Famous for his treatise "Modern Painters," Ruskin examined the works of J.M.W. Turner and the principles of landscape painting. This work earned him recognition as an influential critic and helped shape the perception of the art scene in the 19th century.

Beyond his contributions to the arts, Ruskin was deeply concerned with the social and environmental issues of his time. He championed the preservation of ancient buildings and landmarks, advocating for their importance in maintaining a society's cultural identity. He also highlighted the detrimental impacts of unchecked industrialization, arguing for fair treatment of workers and the need for sustainable practices.

John Ruskin's writings and philosophies have had a lasting impact, shaping subsequent generations of artists, architects, and thinkers. An influential figure and a polymath, he played a crucial role in the development of art criticism and the broader visual culture.

There is hardly anything in the world that some man cannot m

There is hardly anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price only are this man's lawful prey.

Mountains are the beginning and the end of all natural scene

Mountains are the beginning and the end of all natural scenery.

I look upon those pitiful concretions of lime and clay which

I look upon those pitiful concretions of lime and clay which spring up, in mildewed forwardness, out of the kneaded fields about our capital... not merely with the careless disgust of an offended eye, not merely with sorrow for a desecrated landscape, but with a painful foreboding that the roots of our national greatness must be deeply cankered when they are thus loosely struck in their native ground. The crowded tenements of a struggling and restless population differ only from the tents of the Arab or the Gipsy by their less healthy openness to the air of heaven, and less happy choice of their spot of earth; by their sacrifice of liberty without the gain of rest, and of stability without the luxury of change.

The root of almost every schism and heresy from which the Ch

The root of almost every schism and heresy from which the Christian Church has suffered, has been because of the effort of men to earn, rather than receive their salvation; and the reason preaching is so commonly ineffective is, that it often calls on people to work for God rather than letting God work through them.

In great countries, children are always trying to remain chi

In great countries, children are always trying to remain children, and the parents want to make them into adults. In vile countries, the children are always wanting to be adults and the parents want to keep them children.

The distinctive character of a child is to always live in th

The distinctive character of a child is to always live in the tangible present.

Nearly all the evils in the Church have arisen from bishops

Nearly all the evils in the Church have arisen from bishops desiring power more than light. They want authority, not outlook.

Civilization is the making of civil persons.

Civilization is the making of civil persons.

Children see in their parents the past, their parents see in

Children see in their parents the past, their parents see in them the future; and if we find more love in the parents for their children than in children for their parents, this is sad but natural. Who does not entertain his hopes more than his recollections.

The best work never was and never will be done for money.

The best work never was and never will be done for money.

Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces up, s

Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces up, snow is exhilarating; there is no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.

It is excellent discipline for an author to feel that he mus

It is excellent discipline for an author to feel that he must say all that he has to say in the fewest possible words, or his readers is sure to skip them.

The child who desires education will be bettered by it the c

The child who desires education will be bettered by it the child who dislikes it disgraced.

Men were not intended to work with the accuracy of tools, to

Men were not intended to work with the accuracy of tools, to be precise and perfect in all their actions.

All that we call ideal in Greek or any other art, because to

All that we call ideal in Greek or any other art, because to us it is false and visionary, was, to the makers of it, true and existent.

Great nations write their autobiographies in three manuscrip

Great nations write their autobiographies in three manuscripts - the book of their deeds, the book of their words and the book of their art.

You may either win your peace or buy it: win it, by resistan

You may either win your peace or buy it: win it, by resistance to evil buy it, by compromise with evil.

The best thing in life aren't things.

The best thing in life aren't things.

The first duty of government is to see that people have food

The first duty of government is to see that people have food, fuel, and clothes. The second, that they have means of moral and intellectual education.

Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up

Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.