Thomas de Quincey

Either the human being must suffer and struggle as the price of a more searching vision, or his gaze must be shallow and without intellectual revelation.

Grief even in a child hates the light and shrinks from human eyes.

A promise is binding in the inverse ratio of the numbers to whom it is made.

The peace of nature and of the innocent creatures of God seems to be secure and deep, only so long as the presence of man and his restless and unquiet spirit are not there to trouble its sanctity.

It is most absurdly said, in popular language, of any man, that he is disguised in liquor; for, on the contrary, most men are disguised by sobriety.

Solitude, though it may be silent as light, is like light, the mightiest of agencies for solitude is essential to man.

IN MANY WALKS OF LIFE, A CONSCIENCE IS A MORE EXPENSIVE ENCUMBRANCE THAN A WIFE OR A CARRIAGE.

There is first the literature of knowledge, and secondly, the literature of power. review of the Works of Pope (1847 ed.) in North British Review August 1848, vol. 9

If once a man indulges himself in murder, very soon he comes to think little of robbing; and from robbing he comes next to drinking and sabbath-breaking, and from that to incivility and procrastination.

Murder considered as one of the fine arts.

Thou hast the keys of Paradise, oh just, subtle, and mighty opium!

A duller spectacle this earth of ours has not to show than a rainy Sunday in London.

Thomas de Quincey

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