Lord Byron, in full George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron Byron, (born January 22, 1788, London, England – died April 19, 1824, Missolonghi, Greece) was an English poet, satirist, and one of the leading figures in Romanticism.
Known by his personality and brilliance of his writings, Lord Byron produced many great literary works. Some of them include the poetic drama Manfred (1817) and poems such as Hours of Idleness (1807), English Bards and Scotch Reviewers (1809), Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage (1812 – 1818), The Prisoner of Chillon (1816), and Beppo (1818). His most famous and successful work is the satiric epic poem Don Juan (1819 – 1824).
Considered one of the greatest British poets, Lord Byron remains widely read and appreciated, both in the English-speaking world and beyond.
Words are things, and a small drop of ink, falling like dew, upon a thought, produces that which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.Canto III, Stanza LXXXVIII, Don Juan (1819-1824)
The heart will break, yet brokenly live on.Canto III, Stanza XXXII, Childe Harold's Pilgrimage (1812)
Sorrow is Knowledge: they who know the most must mourn the deepest over the fatal truth, the Tree of Knowledge is not that of Life.Act I, Scene 1, Manfred (1817)
All tragedies are finished by a death, all comedies are ended by a marriage.Canto III, Stanza IX, Don Juan (1819-1824)
Friendship may, and often does, grow into love, but love never subsides into friendship.Conversations of Lord Byron with the Countess of Blessington (1934)
The great object of life is Sensation – to feel that we exist – even though in pain.Letter to Annabella Milbanke (September 6, 1813)
Hatred is by far the longest pleasure; men love in haste, but they detest at leisure.Canto XIII, Stanza VI, Don Juan (1819-1824)
There is a pleasure in the pathless woods, there is a rapture on the lonely shore, there is society where none intrudes, by the deep Sea, and music in its roar: I love not Man the less, but Nature more.Canto IV, Stanza CLXXVIII, Childe Harold's Pilgrimage (1812)
Sincerity may be humble, but she cannot be servile.Letter to M. H. Beyle - Stendhal (May 29, 1823)
Self-love for ever creeps out, like a snake, to sting anything which happens, even, accidentally, to stumble upon it.Ravenna Journal (January 11, 1821)
Men are the sport of circumstances, when the circumstances seem the sport of men.Canto V, Stanza XVII, Don Juan (1819-1824)
We are all selfish and I no more trust myself than others with a good motive.Letter to Lady Melbourne (September 28, 1813)
Death, so called, is a thing which makes men weep, and yet a third of life is passed in sleep.Canto XIV, Stanza III, Don Juan (1819-1824)
Life’s enchanted cup but sparkles near the brim.Canto III, Stanza VIII, Childe Harold's Pilgrimage (1812)
Man, being reasonable, must get drunk; the best of life is but intoxication.Canto II, Stanza CLXXIX, Don Juan (1819-1824)
Man’s love is of man’s life a thing apart, ‘T is woman’s whole existence.Canto I, Stanza CXCIV, Don Juan (1819-1824)
I know that two and two make four – and should be glad to prove it too if I could – though I must say if by any sort of process I could convert 2 and 2 into five it would give me much greater pleasure.Letter to Annabella Milbanke (November 10, 1813)
He who surpasses or subdues mankind, must look down on the hate of those below.Canto III, Stanza XLV, Childe Harold's Pilgrimage (1812)
In her first passion woman loves her lover, in all the others all she loves is love.Canto III, Stanza III, Don Juan (1819-1824)
A mistress never is nor can be a friend. While you agree, you are lovers; and, when it is over, any thing but friends.Journal (November 24, 1813)
If I laugh at any mortal thing, ‘T is that I may not weep.Canto IV, Stanza IV, Don Juan (1819-1824)
All who joy would win must share it, happiness was born a twin.Canto II, Stanza CLXXII, Don Juan (1819-1824)
Where there is mystery, it is generally suspected there must also be evil.Fragment of a Novel (1819)
Let none think to fly the danger, for soon or late Love is his own avenger.Canto IV, Stanza LXXIII, Don Juan (1819-1824)
Smiles form the channel of a future tear.Canto II, Stanza XCVII, Childe Harold's Pilgrimage (1812)
Though sages may pour out their wisdom’s treasure, there is no sterner moralist than Pleasure.Canto III, Stanza LXV, Don Juan (1819-1824)
It is useless to tell one not to reason but to believe – you might as well tell a man not to wake but sleep.No. 96, Detached Thoughts (October 15, 1821 - May 18, 1822)
Nothing can confound a wise man more than laughter from a dunce. Canto XVI, Stanza LXXXVIII, Don Juan (1819-1824)
A woman should never be seen eating or drinking, unless it be lobster salad and Champagne, the only true feminine and becoming viands.No source
Those who will not reason, are bigots, those who cannot, are fools, and those who dare not, are slaves.William Drummond (More info)