Quotes by William Dean Howells

About William Dean Howells:

William Dean Howells was an American realist author, literary critic, and playwright. Nicknamed "The Dean of American Letters", he was particularly known for his tenure as editor of the Atlantic Monthly as well as his own prolific writings, including the Christmas story "Christmas Every Day", and the novels The Rise of Silas Lapham and A Traveler from Altruria.
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

Those novels with old-fashioned heroes and heroines in them -- are ruinous!

William Dean Howells

Each one of us must suffer long to himself before he can learn that he is but one in a great community of wretchedness which has been pitilessly repeating itself from the foundation of the world.

William Dean Howells

Yes, there's sense in that. But the suddenly rich are on a level with any of us nowadays. Money buys position at once. I don't say that it isn't all right. The world generally knows what it's about, and knows how to drive a bargain. I dare say that i...

William Dean Howells

How strange it (the earthquake) must all have seemed to them, here where they lived so safely always! They thought such a dreadful thing could happen to others, but not to them. That is the way!

William Dean Howells

Every one is expected to look out for himself here. I fancy that there would be very little rising if men were expected to rise for the sake of others, in America.

William Dean Howells

The action is best that secures the greatest happiness for the greatest number.

William Dean Howells

You'll find as you grow older that you weren't born such a great while ago after all. The time shortens up.

William Dean Howells

How is it the great pieces of good luck fall to us?

William Dean Howells

In Europe life is histrionic and dramatized, and in America, except when it is trying to be European, it is direct and sincere.

William Dean Howells

We are creatures of the moment; we live from one little space to another, and only one interest at a time fills these.

William Dean Howells

Primitive societies without religion have never been found.

William Dean Howells

The conqueror is regarded with awe; the wise man commands our respect; but it is only the benevolent man that wins our affection.

William Dean Howells

There will presently be no room in the world for things; it will be filled up with the advertisements of things.

William Dean Howells

The secret of the man who is universally interesting is that he is universally interested.

William Dean Howells

He who sleeps in continual noise is wakened by silence.

William Dean Howells

Inequality is as dear to the American heart as liberty itself.

William Dean Howells

What the American public wants in the theater is a tragedy with a happy ending.

William Dean Howells

A man never sees all that his mother has been to him until it's too late to let her know that he sees it.

William Dean Howells

It is the still, small voice that the soul heeds, not the deafening blasts of doom.

William Dean Howells

If we like a man's dream, we call him a reformer; if we don't like his dream, we call him a crank.

William Dean Howells

Author Bio

  • NameWilliam Dean Howells
  • Descriptionauthor, critic and playwright from the United States
  • BornMarch 1, 1837
  • DiedMay 11, 1920
  • CountryUnited States Of America
  • ProfessionJournalist; Author; Novelist; Essayist; Playwright