Author: Lionel Trilling

Quotes

Probably it is impossible for humor to be ever a revolutionary weapon. Candide can do little more than generate irony.

Probably it is impossible for humor to be ever a revolutionary weapon. Candide can do little more than generate irony.

- Lionel Trilling

We who are liberal and progressive know that the poor are our equals in every sense except that of being equal to us.

We who are liberal and progressive know that the poor are our equals in every sense except that of being equal to us.

- Lionel Trilling

The poet may be used as a barometer, but let us not forget that he is also part of the weather.

The poet may be used as a barometer, but let us not forget that he is also part of the weather.

- Lionel Trilling

What marks the artist is his power to shape the material of pain we all have.

What marks the artist is his power to shape the material of pain we all have.

- Lionel Trilling

Immature artists imitate. Mature artists steal.

Immature artists imitate. Mature artists steal.

- Lionel Trilling

We are all ill: but even a universal sickness implies an idea of health.

We are all ill: but even a universal sickness implies an idea of health.

- Lionel Trilling

Youth is a time when we find the books we give up but do not get over.

Youth is a time when we find the books we give up but do not get over.

- Lionel Trilling

It is now life and not art that requires the willing suspension of disbelief.

It is now life and not art that requires the willing suspension of disbelief.

- Lionel Trilling

This is the great vice of academicism, that it is concerned with ideas rather than with thinking.

This is the great vice of academicism, that it is concerned with ideas rather than with thinking.

- Lionel Trilling

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