Thomas Carlyle Quotes

A collection of quotes by Thomas Carlyle.

Thomas Carlyle was a renowned Scottish writer, historian, and philosopher, born on December 4, 1795, in Ecclefechan, Dumfriesshire, Scotland. Known for his influential works, Carlyle made significant contributions to various fields, particularly in history and social commentary. He is often regarded as one of the most important intellectuals of the Victorian era.

Carlyle's early life was shaped by poverty and hardship, but his impressive intellectual abilities allowed him to pursue an education at the University of Edinburgh. He initially studied law but soon abandoned it to pursue a career in writing. Carlyle's first major work, "Sartor Resartus" (1833-1834), established him as a prominent writer, showcasing his unique style blending fiction, autobiography, and social criticism.

Throughout his career, Carlyle delved into various subjects, such as the French Revolution, Oliver Cromwell, and Friedrich Nietzsche. His works were characterized by a keen interest in history, morality, and societal issues, often promoting the importance of heroism and the role of individuals in shaping history.

Carlyle's influence extended beyond his writings. He was a respected teacher and mentor, counting many prominent figures among his students, including John Stuart Mill. His emphasis on the significance of great men as catalysts for change left a profound impact on later thinkers, such as Friedrich Nietzsche.

Thomas Carlyle passed away on February 5, 1881, in London, but his works continue to be regarded as essential reading in the realms of literature, history, and social criticism.

The block of granite which was an obstacle in the pathway of

The block of granite which was an obstacle in the pathway of the weak, became a stepping-stone in the pathway of the strong.

Man is a tool-using animal. Without tools he is nothing, wit

Man is a tool-using animal. Without tools he is nothing, with tools he is all.

Democracy is, by the nature of it, a self-canceling business

Democracy is, by the nature of it, a self-canceling business; and it gives in the long run a net result of zero.

Enjoying things which are pleasant; that is not the evil: it

Enjoying things which are pleasant; that is not the evil: it is the reducing of our moral self to slavery by them that is.

The work we desire and prize is not the courage to die decen

The work we desire and prize is not the courage to die decently, but to live manfully.

That a parliament, especially a Parliament with Newspaper Re

That a parliament, especially a Parliament with Newspaper Reporters firmly established in it, is an entity which by its very nature cannot do work, but can do talk only

For all right judgment of any man or thing it is useful, nay

For all right judgment of any man or thing it is useful, nay, essential, to see his good qualities before pronouncing on his bad

A laugh, to be joyous, must flow from a joyous heart, for wi

A laugh, to be joyous, must flow from a joyous heart, for without kindness, there can be no true joy

Long stormy spring-time, wet contentious April, winter chill

Long stormy spring-time, wet contentious April, winter chilling the lap of very May; but at length the season of summer does come

The courage we desire and prize is not the courage to die de

The courage we desire and prize is not the courage to die decently, but to live manfully

Under all speech that is good for anything there lies a sile

Under all speech that is good for anything there lies a silence that is better. Silence is deep as Eternity; speech is shallow as Time.

Make yourself an honest man, and then you may be sure that t

Make yourself an honest man, and then you may be sure that there is one less scoundrel in the world.

Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obs

Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragement, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak

In the long-run every Government is the exact symbol of its

In the long-run every Government is the exact symbol of its People, with their wisdom and unwisdom we have to say, Like People; like Government.

Speech is human, silence is divine, yet also brutish and dea

Speech is human, silence is divine, yet also brutish and dead therefore we must learn both arts.

All that mankind has done, thought, gained, or been; it is l

All that mankind has done, thought, gained, or been; it is lying as in magic preservation in the pages of books.

Nothing that was worthy in the past departs no truth or good

Nothing that was worthy in the past departs no truth or goodness realized by man ever dies, or can die.

If you do not wish a man to do a thing, you had better get h

If you do not wish a man to do a thing, you had better get him to talk about it for the more men talk, the more likely they are to do nothing else.

If time is precious, no book that will not improve by repeat

If time is precious, no book that will not improve by repeated readings deserves to be read at all.

Happy the people whose annals are blank in history books

Happy the people whose annals are blank in history books