William Dean Howells

It is the still, small voice that the soul heeds, not the deafening blasts of doom.

— William Dean Howells

“How strange it (the earthquake) must all have seemed to them, here where they lived so safely always! They thought such a…

— William Dean Howells

n artistic atmosphere does not create artists a literary atmosphere does not create literators; poets and painters spring up where there was…

— William Dean Howells

Preach the blessings of our deeply incorporated civilization by the mouths of our eight-inch guns.

— William Dean Howells

If we like a man's dream, we call him a reformer; if we don't like his dream, we call him a crank.

— William Dean Howells

The action is best that secures the greatest happiness for the greatest number.

— William Dean Howells

“If he was not commonplace, it was through nothing remarkable in his mind, which was simply clear and practical, but through some…

— William Dean Howells

Is it worth while to observe that there are no Venetian blinds in Venice?

— William Dean Howells

The swelling and towering omnibuses, the huge trucks and wagons and carriages, the impetuous hansoms and the more sobered four-wheelers, the pony-carts,…

— William Dean Howells

“Our theory of disaster, of sorrow, of affliction, borrowed from the poets and novelist, is that it is incessant; but every passage…

— William Dean Howells

Christ and the life of Christ is at this moment inspiring the literature of the world as never before, and raising it…

— William Dean Howells

Inequality is as dear to the American heart as liberty itself.

— William Dean Howells

“It's easy enough to be sensible for other people. But when it comes to myself, there I am! Especially, when I want…

— William Dean Howells

If ever the public was betrayed by its press, it's ours.

— William Dean Howells

He who sleeps in continual noise is wakened by silence.

— William Dean Howells

Do not trouble yourselves about standards or ideals; but try to be faithful and natural: remember that there is no greatness, no…

— William Dean Howells

The secret of a man who is universally interesting is that he is universally interested.

— William Dean Howells

“New York may be splendidly gay or squalidly gay but prince or pauper, it's gay always...Yes, gay is the word...but frantic. I…

— William Dean Howells

Primitive societies without religion have never been found.

— William Dean Howells

Lord, for the erring thought Not unto evil wrought: Lord, for the wicked will Betrayed, and baffled still: For the heart from…

— William Dean Howells

“Live all you can. It's a mistake not to. It doesn't matter what you do -- but live. This place makes it…

— William Dean Howells

“...I dare say if you'd asked him plumply what he meant in regard to the young lady, he would have told you…

— William Dean Howells

“Those novels with old-fashioned heroes and heroines in them -- are ruinous!”

— William Dean Howells

“The novelist might be greater possible help to us if they painted life as it is, and human feelings in their true…

— William Dean Howells

What the American public wants in the theater is a tragedy with a happy ending.

— William Dean Howells