Skip to content

The essence of humanism is that belief of which he seems…

“The essence of humanism is that belief of which he seems never to have doubted, that nothing which has ever interested living men and women can wholly lose its vitality—no language they have spoken, nor oracle beside which they have hushed their voices, no dream which has once been entertained by…” quote by Walter Pater
Download Open image
““The essence of humanism is that belief of which he seems never to have doubted, that nothing which has ever interested living men and women can wholly lose its vitality—no language they have spoken, nor oracle beside which they have hushed their voices, no dream which has once been entertained by actual human minds, nothing about which they have ever been passionate, or expended time and zeal.””

Walter Pater

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Humanism thrives on enduring passions and ideas that retain their vitality across time and language.

In simple terms: Enduring passions keep humanism alive.

Key Takeaway

Nurture lasting passions.

Themes

humanism passion timelessness

Mood

reflective inspirational

Type

philosophical literary

When to use this quote

  • education
  • artistic creation
  • personal growth
  • public discourse

Key Concepts

cultural continuity intellectual vitality

Questions to Reflect On

  • What passions have you sustained?
  • How do you keep ideas alive?
A Different Perspective

Humanism can overlook fleeting, harmful trends.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Walter Pater

Explore all 69 Walter Pater quotes

More Art quotes

Browse all 48,643 Art quotes