Washington Irving citations (51 citations, Page 2)

Washington Irving: 51 citations 0 J'aime

Washington Irving citations célèbres

“Ses triomphes militaires n’ont soulevé aucune fierté ni vaine gloire comme cela aurait été le cas s’ils avaient été effectués à des fins personnelles. Au moment de sa plus grande puissance, il a maintenu la même simplicité de manières et d’apparence que dans ses jours d’adversité. Aussi, sans que l’État régalien en soit affecté, il était mécontent lorsque, entrant dans une pièce, un témoignage inhabituel de respect lui était montré. S’il visait une hégémonie universelle, c’était l’hégémonie de la foi; quant au pouvoir temporel, qui a grandi entre ses mains, il l’a utilisé sans ostentation et il n’a rien fait pour le perpétuer dans sa famille.”

Washington Irving

His military triumphs awakened no pride nor vain glory, as they would have done had they been effected for selfish purposes. In the time of his greatest power he maintained the same simplicity of manners and appearance as in the days of his adversity. So far from affecting a regal state, he was displeased if, on entering a room, any unusual testimonials of respect were shown to him. If he aimed at a universal dominion, it was the dominion of faith; as to the temporal rule which grew up in his hands, as he used it without ostentation, so he took no step to perpetuate it in his family.
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Mahomet and his successors, 1849

“Les débris de ce peuple autrefois si puissant ont disparu parmi les hordes barbares de l'Afrique; ils ont cessé d'être un peuple; ils n'ont pas même laissé un nom après eux, bien qu'ils aient pendant huit siècles formé un état distinct et glorieux. Le pays de leur choix, leur demeure chérie, refuse de les reconnaître si ce n'est comme usurpateurs. Quelques édifices délabrés attestent seuls leur ancienne puissance, comme les pointes des rochers élevés marquent l'étendue de quelque grande inondation. Tel est l'Alhambra, ce palais oriental au milieu des édifices gothiques, cet élégant monument d'un peuple brave, intelligent, aimable, qui triompha, domina, et disparut.”

Washington Irving

Les Contes de l'Alhambra, 1832

“Beaucoup des visions et révélations transmises comme ayant été donné par lui sont fausses. Les miracles qu'on lui attribue sont des fabrications de fanatiques musulmans. Il a expressément et de façon répétée démenti tous les miracles sauf celui du Coran; qu'il a, en tenant compte de son incomparable mérite et du fait qu'il l'a reçu du Paradis, déclaré le plus grand des miracles. Bien que des fanatiques musulmans et certains des plus érudits docteurs de la foi présentent comme la preuve de son origine divine l'inimitable excellence de son style et de sa composition ainsi que l'analphabétisme avoué de Mahomet, des critiques moins pieuses l'ont déclaré un chaos de beautés et de malformations; sans méthode ou arrangement; plein d'obscurités, d'incohérences, de répétitions, de fausses versions d'histoires bibliques, et de contradictions directes. La vérité est que le Coran actuel n'est pas le même que celui remis par Mahomet à ses disciples, mais a subi de nombreuses altérations et interpolations.”

Washington Irving

Many of the visions and revelations handed down as having been given by him are spurious. The miracles ascribed to him are all fabrications of Moslem zealots. He expressly and repeatedly disclaimed all miracles excepting the Koran ; which, considering its incomparable merit, and the way in which it had come down to him from heaven, he pronounced the greatest of miracles. And here we must indulge a few observations on this famous document. While zealous Moslems and some of the most learned doctors of the faith draw proofs of its divine origin from the inimitable excellence of its style and composition, and the avowed illiteracy of Mahomet, less devout critics have pronounced it a chaos of beauties and defects; without method or arrangement; full of obscurities, incoherencies, repetitions, false versions of scriptural stories, and direct contradictions. The truth is that the Koran as it now exists is not the same Koran delivered by Mahomet to his disciples, but has undergone many corruptions and interpolations.
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Mahomet and his successors, 1849

“Les Maures d'Espagne, en appelant autour d'eux les raffinements de l'époque la plus brillante de la domination arabe en Orient, répandirent les lumières de la civilisation sur l'Europe encore plongée dans la barbarie.”

Washington Irving

Les Contes de l'Alhambra, 1832

“Dans sa relations privées, il était juste. Il traitait les amis et les inconnus, le riche et le pauvre, le puissant et le faible, avec équité et était aimé par le petit peuple pour l’affabilité avec laquelle il les recevait et écoutait leurs doléances.”

Washington Irving

In his private dealings he was just. He treated friends and strangers, the rich and poor, the powerful and weak, with equity, and was beloved by the common people for the affability with which he received them, and listened to their complaints.
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Mahomet and his successors, 1849

Washington Irving: Citations en anglais

“Many of the visions and revelations handed down as having been given by him are spurious. The miracles ascribed to him are all fabrications of Moslem zealots. He expressly and repeatedly disclaimed all miracles excepting the Koran; which, considering its incomparable merit, and the way in which it had come down to him from heaven, he pronounced the greatest of miracles. And here we must indulge a few observations on this famous document. While zealous Moslems and some of the most learned doctors of the faith draw proofs of its divine origin from the inimitable excellence of its style and composition, and the avowed illiteracy of Mahomet, less devout critics have pronounced it a chaos of beauties and defects; without method or arrangement; full of obscurities, incoherencies, repetitions, false versions of scriptural stories, and direct contradictions. The truth is that the Koran as it now exists is not the same Koran delivered by Mahomet to his disciples, but has undergone many corruptions and interpolations.”

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Washington Irving

Mahomet and his successors, George P. Putnam, 1850, p. 330-331.
Mahomet and his successors (1849)

“They who drink beer will think beer.”

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Washington Irving livre The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.

"Stratford-on-Avon".
The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon (1819–1820)

“His [the author's] renown has been purchased, not by deeds of violence and blood, but by the diligent dispensation of pleasure.”

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Washington Irving livre The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.

"The Westminster Abbey [The Poets' Corner]".
The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon (1819–1820)

“Two small aisles on each side of this chapel present a touching instance of the equality of the grave; which brings down the oppressor to a level with the oppressed, and mingles the dust of the bitterest enemies together.”

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Washington Irving livre The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.

"Westminster Abbey".
The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon (1819–1820)

“Free-livers on a small scale, who are prodigal within the compass of a guinea.”

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Washington Irving

The Stout Gentleman http://web.archive.org/20020106095151/www.geocities.com/cyber_explorer99/.

“They claim to be the first inventors of those recondite beverages, cocktail, stonefence, and sherry cobbler.”

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Washington Irving

Book IV, ch. 241.
Knickerbocker's History of New York http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/13042 (1809)

“In his private dealings he was just. He treated friends and strangers, the rich and poor, the powerful and weak, with equity, and was beloved by the common people for the affability with which he received them, and listened to their complaints. […]”

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Washington Irving

Mahomet and his successors, George P. Putnam, 1850, p. 330.
Mahomet and his successors (1849)

“Those men are most apt to be obsequious and conciliating abroad, who are under the discipline of shrews at home.”

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Washington Irving livre The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.

"Rip Van Winkle".
The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon (1819–1820)

“I am always at a loss to know how much to believe of my own stories.”

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Washington Irving

Tales of a Traveler http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/13514, To the Reader http://books.google.com/books?id=6R0GAAAAQAAJ&q=%22I+am+always+at+a+loss+to+know+how+much+to+believe+of+my+own+stories%22&pg=PR13#v=onepage (1824).

“Other men are known to posterity only through the medium of history, which is continually growing faint and obscure; but the intercourse between the author and his fellow-men is ever new, active, and immediate.”

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Washington Irving livre The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.

"Westminster Abbey".
The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon (1819–1820)

“The almighty dollar, that great object of universal devotion throughout our land, seems to have no genuine devotees in these peculiar villages; and unless some of its missionaries penetrate there, and erect banking houses and other pious shrines, there is no knowing how long the inhabitants may remain in their present state of contented poverty.”

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Washington Irving

The Creole Village published in The Knickerbocker magazine (November 1836). This is origin of the expression almighty dollar. See Edward Bulwer-Lytton for "the pursuit of the almighty dollar". Compare: "Whilst that for which all virtue now is sold, And almost every vice,—almighty gold", Ben Jonson, Epistle to Elizabeth, Countess of Rutland.

“His wife "ruled the roost," and in governing the governor, governed the province, which might thus be said to be under petticoat government.”

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Washington Irving

Book IV, ch. 4.
Knickerbocker's History of New York http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/13042 (1809)

“I endeavor to take things as they come with cheerfulness, and when I cannot get a dinner to suit my taste, I endeavor to get a taste to suit my dinner.”

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Washington Irving

Letter to William Irving, Jr., about his positive attitude acquired while traveling in Europe.
Source: Washington Irving to William Irving Jr., September 20, 1804, Works 23:90.