William Dean Howells

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

Clemens was sole, incomparable, the Lincoln of our literature.

The mortality of all inanimate things is terrible to me, but that of books most of all.

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

An artistic atmosphere does not create artists a literary atmosphere does not create literators; poets and painters spring up where there was never a verse made or a picture seen. This suggests that God is no more idle now than He was at …

Christ and the life of Christ is at this moment inspiring the literature of the world as never before, and raising it up a witness against waste and want and war. It may confess Him, as in Tolstoi's work it does, or it may deny Him, but it …

See how today's achievement is only tomorrow's confusion; See how possession always cheapens the thing that was precious.

He who sleeps in continual noise is wakened by silence [...]

Her mouth is a honey-blossom, No doubt, as the poet sings; But within her lips, the petals, Lurks a cruel bee that stings.

And before you know me gone Eternity and I are one.

Lord, for the erring thought Not into evil wrought: Lord, for the wicked will Betrayed and baffled still: For the heart from itself kept, Our thanksgiving accept.

That's what is driving a girl like Margaret Vance, who has everything that the world can offer her young beauty, on to the work of a Sister of Charity among the poor and the dying.

If we love mankind, pity them, we even wish to suffer for them.

The life of Christ, it wasn't only in healing the sick and going about to do good; it was suffering for the sins of others.

The wrecks of slavery are fast growing a fungus crop of sentiment.

We live, but a world has passed away With the years that perished to make us men.