5 Best Quotes By Washington Irving
Start writing a post

With a distinguished career as The United States Ambassador to Spain, a historian, an essayist, and as a short-story writer, Washington Irving's status as a patron, and champion of literature in America sits at the forefront of the greatest importance, if not reverence.

One of the first writers to earn acclaim in Europe, attracting admiration from prominent authors such as Lord Byron, Charles Dickens, and Sir Walter Scott, Irving understood the necessity of narrative, lore, and literature in order to lay down the foundations for a culture in a young America.

An advocate for writing as a recognized profession, and for stronger copyright laws, the native of Tarrytown, New York, also served as a mentor to the likes of Herman Melville, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Edgar Allan Poe. With many of these writers who became as prominent then as they are today, Irving's efforts not only lead to the beginning of the Romantic Movement in the United States, but as a consequence, the beginning of a America's timeless literary heritage.

1. "There is a sacredness in tears. They are not a mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition and of unspeakable love."

Tears speak in places words cannot fill, and echo in places voices cannot reach. Reining down upon us something that is comprehensible in overwhelming proportions, but proportions that leave us otherwise muted.

2. "Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortune; but great minds rise above them."

In order to embody the greatest figments of our imagination, we must be persistent in our imagination against figments which imagine us as something less.

3. "Sweet is the memory of distant friends! Like the mellow rays of the departing sun, it falls tenderly, yet sadly, on the heart."

Whether come, or gone, there will always be a warm, and gentle place in our heart for our friends. A place warm, and gentle towards a sorrow that comes, and goes with them.

4. "A woman's whole life is a history of the affections."

Delivered beneath the context of the 1840s and 1850s, a time where women were prohibited from voting, discouraged to work, and expected to assume all duties of care towards their households, the most important matter of feminine affairs was to marry, and marry well. Thus, when one spoke and wrote of women then, it was often in the vein of loves realized, and loves that were never loves to being with.

5. "Love is never lost. If not reciprocated, it will flow back and soften and purify the heart."

Though it may remain unrealized, and lie in wait, in wait to be realized, love never remains. But returns to the place where first was loved. To love it will again.

Thanks to his tireless endorsement of American writers to engage with, and create literature, the efforts of Washington Irving has resulted in the creation, and the realization of a love. One that sits on the highest shelves of every bookstores and library. Ever watching, and ever smiling when a book departs beneath the arms of an entranced reader, and when another returns to take its place. Ready to entrance like it has entranced many before. With an enduring lasting love. Ever smiling. Ever watching.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

58513
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37709
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959298
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

194014
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments