Famous quotes
Quotes by famous people, credited to who said them. Your own quotes must not match any of these. More are added all the time. 1,158,808 quotes Who coined it · How we decide
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“There is no joy but calm!”
Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–1892) said by 1892 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I am the only being whose doom No tongue would ask, no eye would mourn; I never caused a thought of gloom A smile of joy since I was born In secret pleasure — secret tears This changeful life has slipped away As friendless after eighteen years As lone as on my natal day.”
Emily Brontë (1818–1848) first seen 1836 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: I Am the Only Being", st. 2 (1836)
“But when the days of golden dreams had perished, And even Despair was powerless to destroy; Then did I learn how existence could be cherished, Strengthened, and fed without the aid of joy.”
Emily Brontë (1818–1848) said by 1848 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Now no joy but lacks salt, That is not dashed with pain And weariness and fault; I crave the stain Of tears, the aftermark Of almost too much love, The sweet of bitter bark And burning clove.”
Robert Frost (1874–1963) said by 1963 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Joy rises in me, like a summer's morn.”
Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834) first seen 1799 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: A Christmas Carol", st. viii (1799)
“We rest. — A dream has power to poison sleep; We rise. — One wandering thought pollutes the day; We feel, conceive or reason, laugh or weep; Embrace fond woe, or cast our cares away: It is the same! — For, be it joy or sorrow, The path of its departure still is free: Man's yesterday may ne'er be like his morrow; Nought may endure but Mutability.”
Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822) first seen 1816 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Mutability (1816), st. 4
“I have drunken deep of joy, And I will taste no other wine tonight.”
Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822) first seen 1819 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Cenci (1819), Act I, sc. iii, l. 88
“Swiftly walk over the western wave, Spirit of Night! Out of the misty eastern cave Where, all the long and lone daylight, Thou wovest dreams of joy and fear, Which make thee terrible and dear, — Swift be thy flight!”
Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822) first seen 1821 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: To Night (1821), st. 1
“Like an unbodied joy whose race is just begun.”
Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822) said by 1822 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Pilots take no special joy in walking: pilots like flying. Pilots generally take pride in a good landing, not in getting out of the vehicle.”
Neil Armstrong (1930–2012) first seen 1965 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On his famous moonwalk, as quoted in In the Shadow of the Moon : A Challenging Journey to Tranquility, 1965-1969 (2007) by Francis French and Colin Burgess
“I began to read the Bible long before I could understand it. Now it seems strange to me that there should have been a time when my spirit was deaf to its wondrous harmonies ... But how shall I speak of the glories I have since discovered in the Bible? For years I have read it with an ever-broadening sense of joy and inspiration; and I love it as I love no other book.”
Helen Keller (1880–1968) said by 1968 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Every optimist moves along with progress and hastens it, while every pessimist would keep the world at a standstill. The consequence of pessimism in the life of a nation is the same as in the life of the individual. Pessimism kills the instinct that urges men to struggle against poverty, ignorance and crime, and dries up all the fountains of joy in the world.”
Helen Keller (1880–1968) said by 1968 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Who ne'er knew joy but friendship might divide, Or gave his father grief but when he died.”
Alexander Pope (1688–1744) first seen 1720 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Epitaph on the Hon. S. Harcourt" (1720)
“Something the heart must have to cherish, Must love and joy and sorrow learn; Something with passion clasp, or perish And in itself to ashes burn.”
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882) said by 1882 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Also quoted by: Henry W. Longfellow
“There 's not a joy the world can give like that it takes away.”
Lord Byron (1788–1824) first seen 1815 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Stanzas for Music (March 1815), reported in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919).
“Sing, riding's a joy! For me I ride.”
Robert Browning (1812–1889) first seen 1855 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Men and Women (1855), The last Ride together, vii.
“Every joy is gain And gain is gain, however small.”
Robert Browning (1812–1889) said by 1889 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“How good is man's life, the mere living! How fit to employ All the heart and the soul and the senses Forever in joy!”
Robert Browning (1812–1889) said by 1889 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“For life, with all it yields of joy and woe, And hope and fear (believe the aged friend), Is just our chance o' the prize of learning love,— How love might be, hath been indeed, and is.”
Robert Browning (1812–1889) said by 1889 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The ultimate, angels' law, Indulging every instinct of the soul There where law, life, joy, impulse are one thing!”
Robert Browning (1812–1889) said by 1889 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The best laid schemes o' mice and men Gang aft a-gley; And leave us naught but grief and pain For promised joy.”
Robert Burns (1759–1796) first seen 1785 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: To a Mouse, st. 7 (1785)
“O Life! how pleasant is thy morning, Young Fancy's rays the hills adorning! Cold-pausing Caution's lesson scorning, We frisk away, Like schoolboys at th' expected warning, To joy and play.”
Robert Burns (1759–1796) first seen 1786 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Epistle to James Smith, st. 15 (1786)
“An' fareweel dear, deluding woman, The joy of joys!”
Robert Burns (1759–1796) first seen 1786 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: To J. S[mith], st. 14 (1786)
“She gave me eyes, she gave me ears; And humble cares,and delicate fears; A heart, the fountain of sweet tears; And love, and thought, and joy.”
William Wordsworth (1770–1850) first seen 1801 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Sparrow's Nest, st. 2 (wr. 1801; pub. 1807)
“Like an army defeated The snow hath retreated, And now doth fare ill On the top of the bare hill; The Ploughboy is whooping—anon—anon! There's joy in the mountains: There's life in the fountains; Small clouds are sailing, Blue sky prevailing; The rain is over and gone.”
William Wordsworth (1770–1850) first seen 1801 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Written in March, st. 2 (wr. 1801; pub. 1807)
“Hail to thee, far above the rest In joy of voice and pinion! Thou, linnet! in thy green array, Presiding spirit here to-day, Dost lead the revels of the May; And this is thy dominion.”
William Wordsworth (1770–1850) first seen 1803 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Green Linnet, st. 2 (wr. 1803; pub. 1807)
“Bright flower! whose home is everywhere Bold in maternal nature's care And all the long year through the heir Of joy or sorrow, Methinks that there abides in thee Some concord with humanity, Given to no other flower I see The forest through.”
William Wordsworth (1770–1850) first seen 1803 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: To the Daisy ("Bright Flower, Whose Home is Every Where!"), st. 1 (wr. 1803; pub. 1807)
“Surprised by joy—impatient as the Wind.”
William Wordsworth (1770–1850) first seen 1815 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Surprised by Joy, l. 1 (1815)
“A famous man is Robin Hood, The English ballad-singer's joy.”
William Wordsworth (1770–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I thought of Chatterton, the marvellous Boy, The sleepless Soul that perished in his pride; Of Him who walked in glory and in joy Following his plough, along the mountain-side: By our own spirits are we deified: We Poets in our youth begin in gladness; But thereof come in the end despondency and madness.”
William Wordsworth (1770–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“And often, glad no more, We wear a face of joy because We have been glad of yore.”
William Wordsworth (1770–1850) first seen 1799 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Fountain, st. ?? (1799)
“... There's a joy, To the fond votaries of fame unknown, To hear the still small voice of conscience speak In whisp'ring plaudit to the silent soul.”
Hannah More (1745–1833) said by 1833 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It is the very joy of man's heart to admire, where he can; nothing so lifts him from all his mean imprisonments, were it but for moments, as true admiration.”
Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) said by 1881 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Blest pair of Sirens, pledges of Heaven's joy,”
John Milton (1608–1674) first seen 1637 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: At a Solemn Music (c. 1637), line 1
“And, ev'n while fashion's brightest arts decoy, The heart distrusting asks, if this be joy.”
Oliver Goldsmith (1728–1774) said by 1774 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Any heart turned Godward feels more joy In one short hour of prayer, than e'er was raised By all the feasts of earth since its foundation.”
Philip James Bailey (1816–1902) said by 1902 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Consecrate the place and day To music and Cecilia. Let no rough winds approach, nor dare Invade the hallow'd bounds, Nor rudely shake the tuneful air, Nor spoil the fleeting sounds. Nor mournful sigh nor groan be heard, But gladness dwell on every tongue; Whilst all, with voice and strings prepar'd, Keep up the loud harmonious song, And imitate the blest above, In joy, and harmony, and love.”
Joseph Addison (1672–1719) first seen 1692 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Song for St. Cecilia's Day (1692)
“Fill ev'ry glass, for wine inspires us, And fires us With courage, love and joy. Women and wine should life employ. Is there ought else on earth desirous?”
John Gay (1685–1732) said by 1732 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Still as they run they look behind, They hear a voice in every wind, And snatch a fearful joy.”
Thomas Gray (1716–1771) said by 1771 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It is a comely fashion to be glad,— Joy is the grace we say to God.”
Jean Ingelow (1820–1897) said by 1897 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Know the joy of life by piling good deed on good deed until no rift or cranny appears between them.”
Marcus Aurelius (121–180) said by 180 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I have no other wish in this world but to find light and joy and peace through Hinduism.”
Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948) said by 1948 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I give you joy of our new nephew, and hope if he ever comes to be hanged it will not be till we are too old to care about it.”
Jane Austen (1775–1817) first seen 1811 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to Cassandra (1811-04-25) [Letters of Jane Austen -- Brabourne Edition]
“Ah, the poverty, the shortness the disappointment of human joy! For in reality car en realite, what is the duration of the supreme moment of love? It is nothing, an instant, a second perhaps. A second of ecstasy, and after that- dust, ashes, nothingness.”
George Orwell (1903–1950) said by 1950 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I'll shade him from the heat till he can bear To lean in joy upon our Father's knee; And then I'll stand and stroke his silver hair, And be like him and he will then love me.”
William Blake (1757–1827) said by 1827 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“O Rose thou art sick. The invisible worm, That flies in the night In the howling storm:Has found out thy bed Of crimson joy: And his dark secret love Does thy life destroy.”
William Blake (1757–1827) said by 1827 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The Angel that presided o'er my birth Said, "Little creature, formed of joy and mirth, Go love without the help of any thing on earth.”
William Blake (1757–1827) said by 1827 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Our strategy should be not only to confront empire, but to lay siege to it. To deprive it of oxygen. To shame it. To mock it. With our art, our music, our literature, our stubbornness, our joy, our brilliance, our sheer relentlessness – and our ability to tell our own stories. Stories that are different from the ones we’re being brainwashed to believe.”
Arundhati Roy (born 1961) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, And in their pleasure takes joy, even as though 'twere his own. Not in the morning alone, not only at mid-day he charmeth; Even at setting, the sun is still the same glorious planet.”
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) said by 1832 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Distichs" in The Poems of Goethe (1853) as translated in the original metres by Edgar Alfred Bowring
“But were there ever any Writh'd not of passed joy? The feel of not to feel it, When there is none to heal it, Nor numbed sense to steel it, Was never said in rhyme.”
John Keats (1795–1821) said by 1821 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source