William Hazlitt Quotes

William Hazlitt (1778-1830) English Essayist, Noted Literary Critic

These William Hazlitt quotes and sayings are from our famous and inspiring collection. If we wish to know the force of human genius, we should read Shakespeare. If we wish to see the insignificance of human learning, we may study his commentators. - William Hazlitt


Our repugnance to death increases in proportion to our consciousness of having lived in vain. (On the Love of Life) - William Hazlitt


Men of genius do not excel in any profession because they labour in it, but they labour in it because they excel. - William Hazlitt


Everything is in motion. Everything flows. Everything is vibrating. - William Hazlitt


There are no rules for friendship. It must be left to itself. We cannot force it any more than love. - William Hazlitt


Genius, like humanity, rusts for want of use. - William Hazlitt


Fashion is the abortive issue of vain ostentation and exclusive egotism: it is haughty, trifling, affected, servile, despotic, mean and ambitious, precise and fantastical, all in a breath, tied to no rule, and bound to conform to every whim of the minute. - William Hazlitt


The love of liberty is the love of others; the love of power is the love of ourselves. - William Hazlitt


Satirists gain the applause of others through fear, not through love. - William Hazlitt