“There was still the temptation to believe the world was a mere trap for human sin. But sin, the way he saw it, was only the failure of an imperfectly made being to keep a perfect law.” — Matthew Pearl Copy Share Image
“Money is good, but it is not all about a man. You will have successes and reversals, but remember it is your reaction to… — Matthew Pearl Copy Share Image
Though a woman tempted man to eat, my dear Longfellow," said Holmes, "you never hear of Eve having to do with his drinking, for… — Matthew Pearl Copy Share Image
“We never like the smell of our own vices in other people, Holmes. Ah, let's steer here for a drink or two," Lowell suggested.” — Matthew Pearl Copy Share Image
Shakespeare brings us to know ourselves. Dante, with his dissection of all others, bids us to know one another. — Matthew Pearl Copy Share Image
Remember that there are two things in this life that are never worth crying about: what can be cured and what cannot be cured. — Matthew Pearl Copy Share Image
“Believe that when I am at once a man's friend I am always so-nor is it so very hard to bring me to it.… — Matthew Pearl Copy Share Image
“On the trees were no longer only leaves but brown fruits, on the bushes no longer blossoms but clusters of red berries. And the… — Matthew Pearl Copy Share Image
Books do pretend ...but squeezed in between is even more that is true—without what you may call the lies, the pages would be too… — Matthew Pearl Copy Share Image
“No, never mind, I didn't think so. Mead, Dante's theme is man-not a man.' Lowell said finally with a mild patience that he reserved… — Matthew Pearl Copy Share Image
“There was still the temptation to believe the world was a mere trap for human sin. But sin, the way he saw it, was… — Matthew Pearl Copy Share Image
“The force of Dante's poetry resonated most in those who did not confess the Catholic faith, for believers would inevitably have quibbles with Dante's… — Matthew Pearl Copy Share Image
“...It is the one time Dante calls such explicit attention to the idea of contrapasso-a word for which we have no exact translation, no… — Matthew Pearl Copy Share Image
...and luckily I have enough in my head to balance what is wanting in my back. — Matthew Pearl Copy Share Image
“Remember that only when past genius is transmitted into a present power shall we meet the first truly american poet. And somewhere, born to… — Matthew Pearl Copy Share Image
