“It is now almost my sole rule of life to clear myself of cants and formulas, as of poisonous Nessus shirts.”
Letter to His Wife (1835).
1830s
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Thomas Carlyle 481
Scottish philosopher, satirical writer, essayist, historian… 1795–1881Related quotes
A New View of Society (1813-1816)
Context: All the measures now proposed are only a compromise with the errors of the present systems; but as these errors now almost universally exist, and must be overcome solely by the force of reason; and as reason, to effect the most beneficial purposes, makes her advance by slow degrees, and progressively substantiates one truth of high import after another, it will be evident, to minds of comprehensive and accurate thought, that by these and similar compromises alone can success be rationally expected in practice. For such compromises bring truth and error before the public; and whenever they are fairly exhibited together, truth must ultimately prevail.
Letter to Goethe, (1828).
1820s, Critical and Miscellaneous Essays (1827–1855)
The Varieties of Scientific Experience: A Personal View of the Search for God (2006)
“Art must break the chains, all rules and formulas.”
L'Idealisme esaay in Le Chemin de Velours 1902
Other
“I see but one rule: to be clear. If I am not clear, all my world crumbles to nothing.”
Je ne vois qu'une règle: être clair. Si je ne suis pas clair, tout mon monde est anéanti.
Letter to Honoré de Balzac, Civita Vecchia (30 October 1840)
“And for your eyes my life takes poison slowly.”
Et ma vie pour tes yeux lentement s'empoisonne
"Les colchiques" (The Saffrons), line 7; translation from Donald Revell (trans.) Alcools (Hanover, NH: Wesleyan University Press, 1995) p. 35.
Alcools (1912)
The Preface to the American edition of Fated to be Free (1875)