Quotes by George Henry Lewes

About George Henry Lewes:

George Henry Lewes is perhaps best known today for having openly lived with George Eliot, as soulmates whose life and writings were enriched by their friendship, despite never marrying.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Insight is the first condition of Art.

George Henry Lewes

Philosophy and Art both render the invisible visible by imagination.

George Henry Lewes

Language, after all, is only the use of symbols, and Art also can only affect us through symbols.

George Henry Lewes

It is unhappily true that much insincere Literature and Art, executed solely with a view to effect, does succeed by deceiving the public.

George Henry Lewes

Books minister to our knowledge, to our guidance, and to our delight, by their truth, their uprightness, and their art.

George Henry Lewes

As all Art depends on Vision, so the different kinds of Art depend on the different ways in which minds look at things.

George Henry Lewes

Science is the systematic classification of experience.

George Henry Lewes

Genius is rarely able to give any account of its own processes.

George Henry Lewes

Many a genius has been slow of growth. Oaks that flourish for a thousand years do not spring up into beauty like a reed.

George Henry Lewes

Endeavour to be faithful, and if there is any beauty in your thought, your style will be beautiful; if there is any real emotion to express, the expression will be moving.

George Henry Lewes

Imagination is not the exclusive appanage of artists, but belongs in varying degrees to all men.

George Henry Lewes

In all sincere speech there is power, not necessarily great power, but as much as the speaker is capable of.

George Henry Lewes

All great authors are seers.

George Henry Lewes

All good Literature rests primarily on insight.

George Henry Lewes

Good writers are of necessity rare.

George Henry Lewes

We must never assume that which is incapable of proof.

George Henry Lewes

The true function of philosophy is to educate us in the principles of reasoning and not to put an end to further reasoning by the introduction of fixed conclusions.

George Henry Lewes

The object of Literature is to instruct, to animate, or to amuse.

George Henry Lewes

If you feel yourself to be above the mass, speak so as to raise the mass to the height of your argument.

George Henry Lewes

All bad Literature rests upon imperfect insight, or upon imitation, which may be defined as seeing at second-hand.

George Henry Lewes

Author Bio

  • NameGeorge Henry Lewes
  • DescriptionBritish philosopher
  • BornApril 18, 1817
  • DiedNovember 30, 1878
  • CountryUnited Kingdom
  • ProfessionLiterary Critic; Theatre Critic; Philosopher; Author