Read George Meredith biography
Cynicism is intellectual dandyism.
George MeredithDon't count your years, make your years count.
George MeredithHe fainted on his vengefulness, and strove To ape the magnanimity of love.
George MeredithA dainty rogue in porcelain.
George Meredith'But do care a bit for flattery, my lady,'said De Craye.''Tis the finest of the Arts; we might call it moral sculpture. Adepts in it can cut their friends to any shape they like.'
George MeredithHappy happy time, when the white star hovers Low over dim fields fresh with blooming dew, Near the face of dawn, that draws athwart the darkness, Threading it with colour, like yewberries the yew.
George MeredithI expect that Woman will be the last thing civilized by Man.
George MeredithKissing don't last: cookery do!
George MeredithSpeech is the small change of silence.
George MeredithEnter these enchanted woods, You who dare.
George MeredithSoaring through wider zones that pricked his scars With memory of the old revolt from Awe, He reached the middle height, and at the stars, Which are the brain of heaven, he looked, and sank. Around the ancient track marched, rank on rank, The army of unalterable law.
George MeredithFor singing till his heaven fills 'Tis love of earth that he instils, And ever winging up and up, Our valley is his golden cup, And he the wine which overflows.
George MeredithInto the breast that gives the rose, Shall I with shuddering fall?
George MeredithEarth, the mother of all, Moves on her stedfast way, Gathering, flinging, sowing. Mortals, we live in her day, She in her children is growing.
George MeredithFor singing till his heaven fills, 'Tis love of earth that he instils, And ever winging up and up, Our valley is his golden cup, And he the wine which overflows To lift us with him as he goes.
George MeredithThe song seraphically free Of taint of personality, So pure that it salutes the suns The voice of one for millions, In whom the millions rejoice For giving their one spirit voice.
George MeredithWith patient inattention hear him prate.
George MeredithFull lasting is the song, though he, The singer, passes
George MeredithBehold the life at ease; it drifts, The sharpened life commands its course.
George MeredithAll wisdom's armoury this man could wield
George MeredithCannon his name, Cannon his voice, he came.
George MeredithSpeech is the small change of Silence.
George MeredithAnd if I drink oblivion of a day, So shorten I the stature of my soul.
George MeredithThe actors are, it seems, the usual three: Husband and wife and lover.
George MeredithA witty woman is a treasure; a witty beauty is a power.
George MeredithWhat a woman thinks of women is the test of her nature.
George MeredithThe well of true wit is truth itself.
George MeredithIreland gives England her soldiers, her generals too.
George Meredith