William Hazlitt (1778 – 1830) was an English essayist, critic, painter, journalist, and philosopher. Although he was born in England, he spent his early years in Ireland and the United States, returning to England in 1787. After attending the New College at Hackney, he worked as a portrait painter and a lecturer, as he was unable to yet earn a living as a writer. Then, in 1812, he was hired as a reporter by The Morning Chronicle where he began writing drama and literary criticism as well as political essays, soon becoming an established journalist. He is best remembered for his humanistic essays, many of which were written during very difficult personal times. Most of them are included in his two most famous collections, Table Talk (1821) and The Plain Speaker (1826).
Quotes by William Hazlitt…
Our energy is in proportion to the resistance we meet.
To be wiser than other men is to be honester than they; and strength of mind is only courage to see and speak the truth.
We are sure to judge wrong if we do not feel right.
Simplicity of character is the natural result of profound thought.
Great thoughts reduced to practice become great acts.
The more we do, the more we can do; the more busy we are, the more leisure we have.
Even in the common affairs of life, in love, friendship, and marriage, how little security have we when we trust our happiness in the hands of others.
One truth discovered is immortal, and entitles its author to be so: for, like a new substance in nature, it cannot be destroyed.
