Washington Irving Quotes

Great minds have purposes; others have wishes.
Washington Irving

There is never jealousy where there is not strong regard.
Washington Irving

An inexhaustible good nature is one of the most precious gifts of heaven, spreading itself like oil over the troubled sea of thought, and keeping the mind smooth and equable in the roughest weather.
Washington Irving

Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.
Washington Irving

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.
Washington Irving

A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles.
Washington Irving

Here's to your good health, and your family's good health, and may you all live long and prosper.
Washington Irving

Love is never lost. If not reciprocated, it will flow back and soften and purify the heart.
Washington Irving

Honest good humor is the oil and wine of a merry meeting, and there is no jovial companionship equal to that where the jokes are rather small and laughter abundant.
Washington Irving

There is in every true woman's heart, a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity, but which kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity.
Washington Irving

Sweet is the memory of distant friends! Like the mellow rays of the departing sun, it falls tenderly, yet sadly, on the heart.
Washington Irving

Whenever a man's friends begin to compliment him about looking young, he may be sure that they think he is growing old.
Washington Irving

Youth fades; love droops; the leaves of friendship fall; a mother's secret hope outlives them all!
Washington Irving

A father may turn his back on his child, brothers and sisters may become inveterate enemies, husbands may desert their wives, wives their husbands. But a mother's love endures through all.
Washington Irving

Great minds have purposes; little minds have wishes. Little minds are subdued by misfortunes; great minds rise above them.
Washington Irving

A woman's life is a history of the affections.
Washington Irving

Age is a matter of feeling, not of years.
Washington Irving

One of the greatest and simplest tools for learning more and growing is doing more.
Washington Irving

Nothing is enough for the man to whom enough is to little.
Washington Irving

The easiest thing to do, whenever you fail, is to put yourself down by blaming your lack of ability for your misfortunes.
Washington Irving

Kindness in women, not their beauteous looks, shall win my love.
Washington Irving

Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortune; but great minds rise above them.
Washington Irving

Resolved, never to do anything which I should be afraid to do, if it were my last of life.
Washington Irving

There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love.
Washington Irving

Acting provides the fulfillment of never being fulfilled. You're never as good as you'd like to be. So there's always something to hope for.
Washington Irving

It is not poverty so much as pretense that harasses a ruined man - the struggle between a proud mind and an empty purse - the keeping up of a hollow show that must soon come to an end.
Washington Irving

There is a healthful hardiness about real dignity that never dreads contact and communion with others however humble.
Washington Irving

A tart temper never mellows with age, and a sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use.
Washington Irving

The idol of today pushes the hero of yesterday out of our recollection; and will, in turn, be supplanted by his successor of tomorrow.
Washington Irving