The essence of the ludicrous consists in surprise,--in unexpected terms of feeling and explosions of thought,--often bringing dissimilar things together with a shock; as when some wit called Boyle, the celebrated philosopher, the father of chemistry and brother of the… — Edwin Percy Whipple Copy Share Image
A composition which dazzles at first sight by gaudy epithets, or brilliant turns or expression, or glittering trains of imagery, may fade gradually from the mind, leaving no enduring impression; but words which flow fresh and warm from a full… — Edwin Percy Whipple Copy Share Image
Cheerfulness in most cheerful people is the rich and satisfying result of strenuous discipline. — Edwin Percy Whipple Copy Share Image
A true teacher should penetrate to whatever is vital in his pupil, and develop that by the light and heat of his own intelligence. — Edwin Percy Whipple Copy Share Image
A politician weakly and amiably in the right is no match for a politician tenaciously and pugnaciously in the wrong. You cannot, by tying… — Edwin Percy Whipple Copy Share Image
A thought embodied and embrained in fit words walks the earth a living being. — Edwin Percy Whipple Copy Share Image
Nature and society are so replete with startling contrasts that wit often consists in the mere statement and comparison of facts, as when Hume… — Edwin Percy Whipple Copy Share Image
The bitterest satires and noblest eulogies on married life have come from poets. — Edwin Percy Whipple Copy Share Image
Genius is not a single power, but a combination of great powers. It reasons, but it is not reasoning; it judges, but it is… — Edwin Percy Whipple Copy Share Image
Nature does not capriciously scatter her secrets as golden gifts to lazy pets and luxurious darlings, but imposes tasks when she presents opportunities, and… — Edwin Percy Whipple Copy Share Image
Even in social life, it is persistency which attracts confidence, more than talents and accomplishments. — Edwin Percy Whipple Copy Share Image
A nation may be in a tumult to-day for a thought which the timid Erasmus placidly penned in his study more than two centuries… — Edwin Percy Whipple Copy Share Image
