40 Monumental Quotes by Lord Byron

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 commencement of atonement is the sense of its necessity.Act III, Scene 1, Manfred (1817)

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)

Adversity is the first path to truth.Canto XII, Stanza L, Don Juan (1819-1824)

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)

The best of prophets of the future is the past.Ravenna Journal (January 28, 1821)

Prolonged endurance tames the bold.Stanza XIII, Mazeppa (1819)

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)

Fame is the thirst of youth.Canto III, Stanza CXII, Childe Harold's Pilgrimage (1812)

The “good old times” – all times when old are good.Stanza I, The Age of Bronze (1823)

Where there is mystery, it is generally suspected there must also be evil.Fragment of a Novel (1819)

If I could always read, I should never feel the want of society.Journal (February 27, 1814)

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)

Friendship may, and often does, grow into love, but love never subsides into friendship.Conversations of Lord Byron with the Countess of Blessington (1934)

Friendship is Love without his wings!L'Amitié est L'Amour sans Ailes (December 1806)

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)

The heart will break, yet brokenly live on.Canto III, Stanza XXXII, Childe Harold's Pilgrimage (1812)

Love will find its way through paths where wolves would fear to prey.The Giaour (1813)

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)

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)

Let none think to fly the danger, for soon or late Love is his own avenger.Canto IV, Stanza LXXIII, Don Juan (1819-1824)

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)

The great object of life is Sensation – to feel that we exist – even though in pain.Letter to Annabella Milbanke (September 6, 1813)

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)

All tragedies are finished by a death, all comedies are ended by a marriage.Canto III, Stanza IX, Don Juan (1819-1824)

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)

They never fail who die in a great cause.Act II, Scene II, Marino Faliero, Doge of Venice (1821)

If I laugh at any mortal thing, ‘T is that I may not weep.Canto IV, Stanza IV, Don Juan (1819-1824)

The busy have no time for tears.Act IV, Scene I, The Two Foscari (1821)

Smiles form the channel of a future tear.Canto II, Stanza XCVII, Childe Harold's Pilgrimage (1812)

Nothing can confound a wise man more than laughter from a dunce. Canto XVI, Stanza LXXXVIII, 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)

There’s not a joy the world can give like that it takes away.Stanzas for Music (1815)

Hatred is by far the longest pleasure; men love in haste, but they detest at leisure.Canto XIII, Stanza VI, Don Juan (1819-1824)

Though sages may pour out their wisdom’s treasure, there is no sterner moralist than Pleasure.Canto III, Stanza LXV, Don Juan (1819-1824)

Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine.No source

Though I love my country, I do not love my countrymen.No source

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

Letter writing is the only device combining solitude with good company.Jacques Barzun (More info)

Those who will not reason, are bigots, those who cannot, are fools, and those who dare not, are slaves.William Drummond (More info)