William Morris Quotes

A collection of quotes by William Morris.

William Morris (1834-1896) was an influential British artist, designer, writer, and socialist activist. Born in Walthamstow, Essex, Morris showed a strong artistic inclination from an early age. He studied at Marlborough and Exeter College, Oxford, where he became deeply engaged with medievalism, especially drawn to the intricate craftsmanship of the Middle Ages.

Morris went on to establish his own decorative arts firm, Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co., which later became Morris & Co. The firm produced stunning textiles, wallpapers, stained glass, and furniture, all characterized by Morris's commitment to handcraftsmanship, attention to detail, and incorporation of natural motifs and rich colors.

Besides his prolific career in design, Morris was also a renowned writer. He authored poetry collections, including "The Earthly Paradise," and played a significant role in the revival of the British fantasy genre. His novel "News from Nowhere" reflected his socialist ideals by depicting a utopian future society.

Morris was actively involved in politics, co-founding the Socialist League in 1884. He campaigned for workers' rights, social reform, and the preservation of historic buildings. Morris strongly believed in the integration of art and life and sought to redefine the role of the artist in society.

William Morris remains an enduring figure in the history of the Arts and Crafts Movement, leaving an indelible mark on design, literature, and social activism. His emphasis on beauty, craftsmanship, and the importance of art for all has continued to influence generations of artists and designers.

So long as the system of competition in the production and e

So long as the system of competition in the production and exchange of the means of life goes on, the degradation of the arts will go on and if that system is to last for ever, then art is doomed, and will surely die that is to say, civilization will die.

Love is enough: while ye deemed him a-sleeping, There were s

Love is enough: while ye deemed him a-sleeping, There were signs of his coming and sounds of his feet; His touch it was that would bring you to weeping, When the summer was deepest and music most sweet...

Music Love Sound

Ah, what shall we say then, but that earth threatened often

Ah, what shall we say then, but that earth threatened often Shall live on for ever that such things may be, That the dry seed shall quicken, the hard earth shall soften, And the spring-bearing birds flutter north o'er the sea, That earth's garden may bloom round my love's feet and me?

Let us speak, love, together some words of our story, That o

Let us speak, love, together some words of our story, That our lips as they part may remember the glory! O soft day, O calm day, made clear for our sake!

Beauty, which is what is meant by art, using the word in its

Beauty, which is what is meant by art, using the word in its widest sense, is, I contend, no mere accident to human life, which people can take or leave as they choose, but a positive necessity of life.

Life Art Beauty People Necessity Accident

The reward of labour is life. Is that not enough?

The reward of labour is life. Is that not enough?

Love is enough: have no thought for to-morrow If ye lie down

Love is enough: have no thought for to-morrow If ye lie down this even in rest from your pain, Ye who have paid for your bliss with great sorrow...

With the arrogance of youth, I determined to do no less than

With the arrogance of youth, I determined to do no less than to transform the world with Beauty. If I have succeeded in some small way, if only in one small corner of the world, amongst the men and women I love, then I shall count myself blessed, and blessed, and blessed, and the work goes on.

Men Beauty Work Love Women

History has remembered the kings and warriors, because they

History has remembered the kings and warriors, because they destroyed art has remembered the people, because they created.

If you cannot learn to love real art at least learn to hate

If you cannot learn to love real art at least learn to hate sham art.

A man at work, making something which he feels will exist be

A man at work, making something which he feels will exist because he is working at it and wills it, is exercising the energies of his mind and soul as well as of his body. Memory and imagination help him as he works.

Simplicity of life, even the barest, is not a misery, but th

Simplicity of life, even the barest, is not a misery, but the very foundation of refinement; a sanded floor and whitewashed walls and the green trees, and flowery meads, and living waters outside; or a grimy palace amid the same with a regiment of housemaids always working to smear the dirt together so that it may be unnoticed; which, think you, is the most refined, the most fit for a gentleman of those two dwellings?

Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful

Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.

Art is man's expression of his joy in labor.

Art is man's expression of his joy in labor.

I pondered all these things, and how men fight and lose the

I pondered all these things, and how men fight and lose the battle, and the thing that they fought for comes about in spite of their defeat, and when it comes turns out not to be what they meant, and other men have to fight for what they meant under another name.

I love art, and I love history, but it is living art and liv

I love art, and I love history, but it is living art and living history that I love. It is in the interest of living art and living history that I oppose so-called restoration. What history can there be in a building bedaubed with ornament, which cannot at the best be anything but a hopeless and lifeless imitation of the hope and vigor of the earlier world?

A man at work, making something which he feels will exist be

A man at work, making something which he feels will exist because he is working at it and wills it, is exercising the energies of his mind and soul as well as of his body. Memory and imagination help him as he works. Not only his own thoughts, but the thoughts of the men of past ages guide his hands; and, as part of the human race, he creates. If we work thus we shall be men, and our days will be happy and eventful.

Of rich men it telleth, and strange is the story how they ha

Of rich men it telleth, and strange is the story how they have, and they hanker, and grip far and wide; And they live and they die, and the earth and its glory has been but a burden they scarce might abide.

If you want a golden rule that will fit everything, this is

If you want a golden rule that will fit everything, this is it: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.

So long as the system of competition in the production and e

So long as the system of competition in the production and exchange of the means of life goes on, the degradation of the arts will go on; and if that system is to last for ever, then art is doomed, and will surely die; that is to say, civilization will die.