---
title: "22 Firsts Quotes By John Ruskin"
description: "22 Firsts quotes by John Ruskin. Plus more from John Ruskin and more Firsts sayings from other authors."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/612/john-ruskin-314_firsts_work-first-and-then-rest-1806251_1806251.jpg"
---

> [Work first, and then rest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/work-first-and-then-rest/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/612/john-ruskin-314_firsts_work-first-and-then-rest-1806251_1806251.jpg)

> [The only way to understand the difficult parts of the Bible is first to read and obey the easy ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/the-only-way-to-understand-the-difficult-parts-of-the-bible-is-first/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b35/john-ruskin-314_bible_the-only-way-to-understand-the-difficult_1739545.jpg)

> [All great song, from the first day when human lips contrived syllables, has been sincere song.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/all-great-song-from-the-first-day-when-human-lips-contrived-syllables/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/790/john-ruskin-314_firsts_all-great-song-from-the-first-day-when-h_1986761.jpg)

> [The only way to understand these difficult parts of the Bible, or even to approach them with safety, is first to read…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/the-only-way-to-understand-these-difficult-parts-of-the-bible-or-even/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a7c/john-ruskin-314_bible_the-only-way-to-understand-these-difficu_527952.jpg)

> [Every good piece of art... involves first essentially the evidence of human skill, and the formation of an actually beautiful thing by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/every-good-piece-of-art-involves-first-essentially-the-evidence-of/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/432/john-ruskin-314_art_every-good-piece-of-art-involves-first-e_230071.jpg)

> [If you want to work for the kingdom of God, and to bring it, and enter into it, there is just one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/if-you-want-to-work-for-the-kingdom-of-god-and-to-bring-it-and-enter/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7c/john-ruskin-314_accepted_if-you-want-to-work-for-the-kingdom-of-g_3215797.jpg)

> [Work first and then rest. Work first, and then gaze, but do not use golden ploughshares, nor bind ledgers in enamel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/work-first-and-then-rest-work-first-and-then-gaze-but-do-not-use/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/118/john-ruskin-314_firsts_work-first-and-then-rest-work-first-and_2362742.jpg)

> [Depend upon it, the first universal characteristic of all great art is Tenderness, as the second is Truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/depend-upon-it-the-first-universal-characteristic-of-all-great-art-is/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd0/john-ruskin-314_art_depend-upon-it-the-first-universal-chara_419068.jpg)

> [The actual flower is the plant's highest fulfilment, and are not here exclusively for herbaria, county floras and plant geography: they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/the-actual-flower-is-the-plant-s-highest-fulfilment-and-are-not-here/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/964/john-ruskin-314_county_the-actual-flower-is-the-plant-s-highest_215955.jpg)

> [Though you may have known clever men who were indolent, you never knew a great man who was so; and when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/though-you-may-have-known-clever-men-who-were-indolent-you-never-knew/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6b/john-ruskin-314_asks_though-you-may-have-known-clever-men-who_645271.jpg)

> [As unity demanded for its expression what at first might have seemed its opposite--variety; so repose demands for its expression the implied…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/as-unity-demanded-for-its-expression-what-at-first-might-have-seemed/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/584/john-ruskin-314_beauty_as-unity-demanded-for-its-expression-wha_3131535.jpg)

> [There is but one question ultimately to be asked respecting every line you draw, Is it right or wrong? If right, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/there-is-but-one-question-ultimately-to-be-asked-respecting-every/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/398/john-ruskin-314_action_there-is-but-one-question-ultimately-to_2153176.jpg)

> [All real and wholesome enjoyments possible to people have been just as possible to them since first they were made of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/all-real-and-wholesome-enjoyments-possible-to-people-have-been-just/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e9/john-ruskin-314_breaths_all-real-and-wholesome-enjoyments-possib_1970311.jpg)

> [One evening, when I was yet in my nurse's arms, I wanted to touch the tea urn, which was boiling merrily ...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/one-evening-when-i-was-yet-in-my-nurse-s-arms-i-wanted-to-touch-the/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/414/john-ruskin-314_arms_one-evening-when-i-was-yet-in-my-nurse-s_3152872.jpg)

> [Depend upon it, the first universal characteristic of all great art is Tenderness, as the second is Truth. I find this more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/depend-upon-it-the-first-universal-characteristic-of-all-great-art-is-2/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a00/john-ruskin-314_appearance_depend-upon-it-the-first-universal-chara_2077876.jpg)

> [I wish they would use English instead of Greek words. When I want to know why a leaf is green, they tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/i-wish-they-would-use-english-instead-of-greek-words-when-i-want-to/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9f/john-ruskin-314_firsts_i-wish-they-would-use-english-instead-of_1632911.jpg)

> [I believe that the first test of a great man is his humility. I don't mean by humility, doubt of his power.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/i-believe-that-the-first-test-of-a-great-man-is-his-humility-i-don-t/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/11c/john-ruskin-314_believe_i-believe-that-the-first-test-of-a-great_943865.jpg)

> [The whole difference between a man of genius and other men, it has been said a thousand times, and most truly, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/the-whole-difference-between-a-man-of-genius-and-other-men-it-has/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/747/john-ruskin-314_admiration_the-whole-difference-between-a-man-of-ge_2051122.jpg)

> [And thus, in full, there are four classes: the men who feel nothing, and therefore see truly; the men who feel strongly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/and-thus-in-full-there-are-four-classes-the-men-who-feel-nothing-and/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ab/john-ruskin-314_class_and-thus-in-full-there-are-four-classes_2835905.jpg)

> [No divine terror will ever be found in the work of the man who wastes a colossal strength in elaborating toys; for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/no-divine-terror-will-ever-be-found-in-the-work-of-the-man-who-wastes/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/40e/john-ruskin-314_colossal_no-divine-terror-will-ever-be-found-in-t_2646603.jpg)

> [A gentleman's first characteristic is that fineness of structure in the body which renders it capable of the most delicate sensation; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/a-gentleman-s-first-characteristic-is-that-fineness-of-structure-in/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/71c/john-ruskin-314_body_a-gentleman-s-first-characteristic-is-th_3174064.jpg)

> [We need examples of people who, leaving Heaven to decide whether they are to rise in the world, decide for themselves that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/we-need-examples-of-people-who-leaving-heaven-to-decide-whether-they/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4d/john-ruskin-314_calm_we-need-examples-of-people-who-leaving-h_1789777.jpg)

## Other authors on Firsts

## More by John Ruskin

> [“Occult Theft,--Theft which hides itself even from itself, and is legal, respectable, and cowardly,--corrupts the body and soul of man, to the last fibre…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/occult-theft-theft-which-hides-itself-even-from-itself-and-is-legal/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

> [Mighty of heart, mighty of mind, magnanimous-to be this is indeed to be great in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/mighty-of-heart-mighty-of-mind-magnanimous-to-be-this-is-indeed-to-be/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

> [Life is a magic vase filled to the brim, so made that you cannot dip from it nor draw from it; but it overflows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/life-is-a-magic-vase-filled-to-the-brim-so-made-that-you-cannot-dip/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

> [As in the instances of alchemy, astrology, witchcraft, and other such popular creeds, political economy, has a plausible idea at the root of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/as-in-the-instances-of-alchemy-astrology-witchcraft-and-other-such/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

> [I am far more provoked at being thought foolish by foolish people, than pleased at being thought sensible by sensible people; and the average…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/i-am-far-more-provoked-at-being-thought-foolish-by-foolish-people/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

> [When we build ... let it not be for present delights nor for present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/when-we-build-let-it-not-be-for-present-delights-nor-for-present-use/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

> [It is far more difficult to be simple than to be complicated; far more difficult to sacrifice skill and easy execution in the proper…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/it-is-far-more-difficult-to-be-simple-than-to-be-complicated-far-more/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

> [It is a good and safe rule to sojourn in every place as if you meant to spend your life there, never omitting an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/it-is-a-good-and-safe-rule-to-sojourn-in-every-place-as-if-you-meant/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

> [“You may trust to the truth of my sympathy; but you must remember that I am engaged in the investigation of enormous religious and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/you-may-trust-to-the-truth-of-my-sympathy-but-you-must-remember-that/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

> [And remember, child, that nothing is ever done beautifully, which is done in rivalship; or nobly, which is done in pride.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/and-remember-child-that-nothing-is-ever-done-beautifully-which-is/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

> [It’s unwise to pay too much, but it’s worse to pay too little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/it-s-unwise-to-pay-too-much-but-it-s-worse-to-pay-too-little/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

> [The world is full of vulgar Purists, who bring discredit on all selection by the silliness of their choice; and this the more, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/the-world-is-full-of-vulgar-purists-who-bring-discredit-on-all/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

> [Like other beautiful things in this world, its end (that of a shaft) is to be beautiful; and, in proportion to its beauty, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/like-other-beautiful-things-in-this-world-its-end-that-of-a-shaft-is/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

> [All are to be men of genius in their degree,--rivulets or rivers, it does not matter, so that the souls be clear and pure;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/all-are-to-be-men-of-genius-in-their-degree-rivulets-or-rivers-it/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

> [The art of drawing which is of more real importance to the human race than that of writing...should be taught to every child just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/the-art-of-drawing-which-is-of-more-real-importance-to-the-human-race/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

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                        "text": "Work first and then rest. Work first, and then gaze, but do not use golden ploughshares, nor bind ledgers in enamel.",
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                        "text": "Depend upon it, the first universal characteristic of all great art is Tenderness, as the second is Truth.",
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                        "text": "The actual flower is the plant's highest fulfilment, and are not here exclusively for herbaria, county floras and plant geography: they are here first of all for delight.",
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                        "text": "Though you may have known clever men who were indolent, you never knew a great man who was so; and when I hear a young man spoken of as giving promise of great genius, the first question I ask about him always is, Does he work?",
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                        "text": "As unity demanded for its expression what at first might have seemed its opposite--variety; so repose demands for its expression the implied capability of its opposite--energy. It is the most unfailing test of beauty; nothing can be ignoble that possesses it, nothing right that has it not.",
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                        "text": "There is but one question ultimately to be asked respecting every line you draw, Is it right or wrong? If right, it most assuredly is not a \"free\" line, but an intensely continent, restrained and considered line; and the action of the hand in laying it is just as decisive, and just as \"free\" as the hand of a first-rate surgeon in a critical incision.",
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                        "text": "All real and wholesome enjoyments possible to people have been just as possible to them since first they were made of the earth as they are now; and they are possible to them chiefly in peace. To watch the corn grow, and the blossoms set; to draw hard breath over plowshare or spade; to read, to think, to love, to hope: these are the things that make people happy.",
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                        "text": "One evening, when I was yet in my nurse's arms, I wanted to touch the tea urn, which was boiling merrily ... My nurse would have taken me away from the urn, but my mother said \"Let him touch it.\" So I touched it - and that was my first lesson in the meaning of liberty.",
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                        "text": "Depend upon it, the first universal characteristic of all great art is Tenderness, as the second is Truth. I find this more and more every day: an infinitude of tenderness is the chief gift and inheritance of all the truly great men. It is sure to involve a relative intensity of disdain towards base things, and an appearance of sternness and arrogance in the eyes of all hard, stupid, and vulgar people",
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                        "text": "I wish they would use English instead of Greek words. When I want to know why a leaf is green, they tell me it is coloured by \"chlorophyll,\" which at first sounds very instructive; but if they would only say plainly that a leaf is coloured green by a thing which is called \"green leaf,\" we should see more precisely how far we had got.",
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                        "text": "I believe that the first test of a great man is his humility. I don't mean by humility, doubt of his power. But really great men have a curious feeling that the greatness is not of them, but through them. And they see something divine in every other man and are endlessly, foolishly, incredibly merciful.",
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                        "text": "The whole difference between a man of genius and other men, it has been said a thousand times, and most truly, is that the first remains in great part a child, seeing with the large eyes of children, in perpetual wonder, not conscious of much knowledge--conscious, rather of infinite ignorance, and yet infinite power; a fountain of eternal admiration, delight, and creative force within him meeting the ocean of visible and governable things around him.",
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                        "text": "And thus, in full, there are four classes: the men who feel nothing, and therefore see truly; the men who feel strongly, think weakly, and see untruly (second order of poets); the men who feel strongly, think strongly, and see truly (first order of poets); and the men who, strong as human creatures can be, are yet submitted to influences stronger than they, and see in a sort untruly, because what they see is inconceivably above them. This last is the usual condition of prophetic inspiration.",
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                        "text": "No divine terror will ever be found in the work of the man who wastes a colossal strength in elaborating toys; for the first lesson that terror is sent to teach us is, the value of the human soul, and the shortness of mortal time.",
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                        "text": "A gentleman's first characteristic is that fineness of structure in the body which renders it capable of the most delicate sensation; and of structure in the mind which renders it capable of the most delicate sympathies; one may say simply \"fineness of nature.",
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                        "text": "We need examples of people who, leaving Heaven to decide whether they are to rise in the world, decide for themselves that they will be happy in it, and have resolved to seek not greater wealth, but simpler pleasure; not higher fortune, but deeper felicity; making the first of possessions, self-possession; and honouring themselves in the harmless pride and calm pursuits of peace.",
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